Igreja de S茫o Francisco (St. Francis Church), Porto (must see)
In 1244 the bishop of Porto didn't like the Franciscans. Other religious orders and clergy didn't mind pushing them around. What was needed was a papal bull and they got one from Pope Innocent V. He chided the bishop and returned to the Franciscans the land the bishop had taken from them. The monks then built a convent and church.
The Franciscans had their foot in the door and in 1383, with the patronage of King Ferdinand I, they built a bigger church. The church was complete in 1425. It was done in the plain Gothic style favored by mendicant orders of the time. To this day the Franciscan church is the best example the Gothic style in Porto.
In the 15th and 16th centuries socially prominent families made the Church of Saint Francis theirs. The Chapel of John the Baptist, for example, was built in the 1530s for the Carneiro family in the Manueline style. In the 18th century the interior surfaces were covered with gilt work in a Baroque style, including the apses and nave.
During the siege of Porto in 1832 the cloisters were destroyed. The Commercial Association built the Stock Exchange Palace in its place.
Why You Should Visit:
If you like seeing countless hours of opulent, very ornate wood carving covered in gold leaf, then this is the place for you.
Tip:
Don't miss the little museum and the catacombs that are included in the ticket price.
The Franciscans had their foot in the door and in 1383, with the patronage of King Ferdinand I, they built a bigger church. The church was complete in 1425. It was done in the plain Gothic style favored by mendicant orders of the time. To this day the Franciscan church is the best example the Gothic style in Porto.
In the 15th and 16th centuries socially prominent families made the Church of Saint Francis theirs. The Chapel of John the Baptist, for example, was built in the 1530s for the Carneiro family in the Manueline style. In the 18th century the interior surfaces were covered with gilt work in a Baroque style, including the apses and nave.
During the siege of Porto in 1832 the cloisters were destroyed. The Commercial Association built the Stock Exchange Palace in its place.
Why You Should Visit:
If you like seeing countless hours of opulent, very ornate wood carving covered in gold leaf, then this is the place for you.
Tip:
Don't miss the little museum and the catacombs that are included in the ticket price.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Porto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Igreja de S茫o Francisco (St. Francis Church) on Map
Sight Name: Igreja de S茫o Francisco (St. Francis Church)
Sight Location: Porto, Portugal (See walking tours in Porto)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Porto, Portugal (See walking tours in Porto)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Porto, Portugal
Create Your Own Walk in Porto
Creating your own self-guided walk in Porto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Porto Historic Center Walking Tour
The Historic Centre of Porto, dating back to the Medieval times, is the oldest part of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Despite all the changes over the years, it has maintained the unique urban characteristics, which are a world apart from other European cities, and preserved much of its legacy from the times gone by.
Firmly set on the hillsides overlooking the mouth of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Firmly set on the hillsides overlooking the mouth of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Shopping and Food Tour
Renowned for its centuries-old culture and architecture, Porto also boasts a wealth of shopping and dining opportunities. With a mix of the modern and historical, the city represents a fertile ground for bargain hunters, foodies and luxury-seekers alike.
Those on the look-out for trendy clothing and accessories, or wanting to sample some delicious local cuisine, will certainly not be... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Those on the look-out for trendy clothing and accessories, or wanting to sample some delicious local cuisine, will certainly not be... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Porto's Monuments and Statues
In general, just like any other European nation, sunny Portugal is rich in history and matching love of monuments. This is more so evident in the country's second largest city of Porto, dotted with statues and sculptures of various sort, decorating the gardens, sidewalks, squares and various corners. Each of them has its own story; some are quite old, while others are not so much and rather... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Historical Churches
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe and is deeply rooted in Christianity, notably Catholicism. The latter explains the abundance of historic chapels, churches, and monasteries in the country. Porto, a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage, boasts several old churches of its own. Remarkable architectural gems, they reflect the city's profound religious tradition.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Porto Introduction Walking Tour
After 711 Porto fell to Moorish invaders. The Muslim control existed in the Iberian peninsula until 1491. However, the conquest was not total and in 868 things began to change for the people of Porto.
Vimara Peres, an Asturian count of Gallaecia, came to reconquer for the Christians. He secured the town of Portu Cale and the land of Vila Nova de Gaia. Vimara became the Count of Portucale. From... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Vimara Peres, an Asturian count of Gallaecia, came to reconquer for the Christians. He secured the town of Portu Cale and the land of Vila Nova de Gaia. Vimara became the Count of Portucale. From... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles