Faro,the capital of Algarve is the strategic entry point to a luscious coastline,that magnificent maritime line of Southern Portugal packed by natural beauties and unforgettable beaches.
Located in the centre of that magnificent shoreline,Faro is a modern,lively and vibrant city with a lot of things to do and rich in art,history,culture and packed by natural attractions.
With its 65,000 inhabitants it extends around a lagoon which separates it from the Atlantic Ocean and forming a beautiful nature reserve,the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa,a wonderful nature park which covers over 15,000 hectares and includes sandy dunes,rocks and a rich flora and fauna.
Providing a very busy and relevant airport mainly used to reach famed and popular resorts such as resorts Albufeira,Portimao,Lagos,Praia da Rocha or Vilamoura,the city has a very interesting historic past to narrate.
Active port since the time of the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians,it gained major importance under Roman rule as Imperial colony in the Iberian Peninsula,in that period was developed a relevant fishing and trade harbour port and the settlement was called Ossonoba,the ruins of that ancient place are still visible such as, the remains of walls,spas,numerous columns and mosaics.
During the 8th century,the current Capital of Algarve was conquered by the Moorish who consolidated the already active city as a flourishing harbour and a relevant commercial centre.The name of the city under Arab rule was Harun originally took by a Chieftain a ruler of an important Arab-Berber caste,despite that the most relevant and prominent figure during the Moorish period and in Faro was the Prince Bem Bekr who was also who commissioned the construction of the walls in the 9th century probably dates back to Faro's Moorish domination.
The domination of the Arab-Berber ended 13th century,exactly in the year 1249, when the lit was conquered by King Alfonso III of Spain,in that period the town lived a period of reconstruction and the major local centre was the nearest Silves.
Two episodes have marked the history of that Portuguese centre,during the naval battles in the Atlantic in the late 16th century,in the year 1596 it was attacked by the British fleet led by Robert Deveraux Earl of Essex who sacked and set on fire all the city which suffered several damages,while in the 18th century,also Faro as also all the country was almost completely destroyed by that famous earthquake dated 1755.
After the earthquake,the town was rebuilt as other historical buildings were entirely restored thanks to Bishop Francisco Gomesde Alvar.After ups and downs during its history and various periods of decay and rebirth throughout the centuries,Faro has never lost its role as the nerve centre of the Algarve and the economy and today it is the classic main point of arrival for tourists wishing to explore and enjoy that stupendous and sunny corner of Southern Portugal.
The centre of Faro is walkable and on human scale,with pretty cobbled streets flanked by rows of trees and restored old buddings.The presence of medieval walls, with a large number of monuments are just a more than valid reason for a very pleasant visit.
The Old city called Cidade Velha (Old Town) or Cidade Adentro (Inside the city) is perched behind the walls of the fortress,on the other side of the harbour and it still shows great interest and fascination.
An excellent point start the visit is the access the Arco da Vila (the Arch of the town) an arch which opens along the northern side of the ancient wall.That construction has,even if it is following the disastrous earthquake which gave it a tremendous damage was rebuilt and it is one of the medieval gates of the city,situated opposite the marina,the Bank of Portugal and the Igreia da Misericordia (Church of the Mercy).
Considered as National Monument,it was rebuilt in 1812 by the architect Francisco Xavier Fabri, Fabri,commissioned by Bishop Francisco Gomes.That neoclassical facade and pilasters of Italian influence, the arch is surmounted by a belfry occupied by a nest of storks and in a niche lies a statue in honour of St. Thomas Aquinas in white marble.
Next to the Arco da Vila there is the the Tourism Office,ideal place to collect information also for very interesting excursions in the surroundings and in the interior.
The building hosting the Banco do Portugal (the Bank of Portugal) was erected in the year 1926 in a place in which there was the old vegetable market of the town.It was designed by architect Adaes Bermudes in Renaissance style and it shows a very attractive facade,decorated with tiles,huge and beautiful Mudejar details cover on the top floor windows.
The nearest Igreia da Misericordia (The church of Mercy) was built in the 16th century a work commissioned by Bishop Alfonso of Castelo Branco,erected on the remains of the Capela do Espiritu Santo an old Church dedicated to the Holy Spirit originally erected in the year 1499 during the period of King Manuel I.
The architectonic style is a mixture of Baroque and Manueline styles.Unique example in Algarve for that beautiful combination of styles it has a a very charming facade with a splendid arched portal,and stylish belfry which surmounts a circular watch.The interior consists in a a Greek cross with a central dome and it contains numerous Baroque interesting details,deserving special interest a Rococo triumphal arch and two side chapels,as well as a font on a Gothic spire,in addition there are and several images and carvings dated the 17th and 18th century.
From there starts Rua do Municipio (Town Hall Street) which leads to the beautiful Largo da Sé a lovely square with a complex of old buildings and in that point you are in the hearth of the old city.
Surrounded by orange trees you can admire the Catedral Da Sé the Cathedral which is simply called by locals"Sé.The history of the construction is very interesting also for the place in which it was built and for the previous buildings erected on that concrete place.
Originally in that exact point there was a Roman Temple replaced by a Visigoth Church and later that space was occupied by a Mosque,erected during the Moorish period.Apart those three previous Religious buildings,there was a 4th the Igreia da Santa Maria,a Church dedicated to St.Mary on which was erected the current,preserving the tower of that building.The Cathedral was victim of the damages provoked by the English troops but restored it shows today a brilliant aspect.
It is a strong stoned building developed on an ample rectangular plan,magnificent is the arched portal at entrance over a stoned step with arches on the sides forming a charming portico and in the middle of the facade was placed an ample rectangular window with curved line on the top.
This religious temple consists in three naves,a main altar in the centre with side chapels.A relevant detail is the decorations with tiles dated the 17th century,it contains several altarpieces,mostly in Baroque style,and the tomb of the Bishop founder of the Church,over the centuries, its architecture has been reworked with other styles such as Neo Gothic and mainly Baroque,an architectonic style very common in Portugal in that period with an excellent school.
Inside you can also admire a relevant organ,played throughout its history by famed artists,furthermore beautiful are the carved gilt and another highlight is of course the altarpiece of Santa Teresa and San Vicente Ferrer and the beautiful hand painted tiles typically made by Portuguese ceramic dated 18th century.
From the top of its medieval tower,it is possible to enjoy beautiful views of the city and the coast.At its feet,a staircase lined with lovely tile base dated the 17th century,which provides the access to the Cathedral Museum.That exhibition has several rooms containing sacred art objects,statues,carvings, paintings,clothing and many other religious items.Within the precincts of the Cathedral,next to the bell tower there is also a lovely small cloister where lies a Chapel.
Opposite to the cathedral, adorned by charming orange trees,you can admire another iconic historic building of Faro Paço Episcopal the Bishop's Palace,which was built in the late 16th century.It is is an imposing building covered by beautiful tiles,a work which is dated the second half of the 18th century.The Palace occasionally hosts exhibitions devoted to religious art.
The largest building in the square is the Seminario Episcopal, a Seminary erected in the 18th century in two phases and situated on the right side of the Episcopal Palace.It is a building developed on two floors, with white walls,which despite being Fine Arts School of Infantry Barracks due to their economic problems in the past,today still fulfils its functions of formation of future priests.
In the same square lies the Palacio do Municipio the Town Hall.It is a two storey building with white facade,topped by a triangular pediment with in the middle the shield of Portugal.The construction began in 1883 and lasted for decades.In 1945,under the responsibility of the architect Jorge Oliveira and the main original facade of the building was entirely renovated.
The statue you can see in the middle of the square is in honour of Bishop Francisco Gomes,who rebuilt many buildings of Faro destroyed by the great earthquake of 1755,an emblematic figure not only religious but also very sensitive to the architectonic renaissance of Faro and Algarve and much more very close to the preservation of the local historic patrimony,a character very charismatic and influential who played an important role in the history of the city.
A short walk away,but still within the walled town, you can reach is a smaller square with another statue depicting King Dom Alfonso III, famous Portuguese Monarch who led the operations of the famous Reconquiista (the reconquest) and he conquered the last strongholds of the Moors in Portugal in the 13th century.
That monument stands in front of the former Convento Nossa Senhora da Assunção,a former Convent dedicated to St.Mary of the Assumption and currently hosting the Museo Arqueológico Lapidar do Infante Dom Henrique the Archaeological Museum.
That permanent exhibition is packed by fascinating artifacts from prehistoric to modern times.Arranged in that old Convent originally erected in the 16th century.The building was the Convento de Capuchos,a convent which hosted Monks of the Capuchin Order and also the Poor Clares Mothers.Lsted as a National Monument and it is in typical Renaissance style, with a Manueline and Baroque dome.The convent chapel is currently used as an auditorium.
The exhibition contains an important archaeological collection,distributed through the galleries of the cloister with main emphasis in the Roman Empire,whose items displayed include the mosaic of the ocean and busts of the Emperors Agripino,Adriano and Galiano.
Very relevant is also a wide collection of sacred art and religious paintings and furthermore various remains found in Milreu,consisting in weapons,coins,jars and exotic tiles.Ferreira De Almeida collection,situated on the 1st floor shows the visitor several Spanish and Chinese furniture,sculptures and paintings.
The main highlight of that Museum is without doubt a wonderful Roman mosaic dated of the 3rd century,depicting the Mythological God Neptune surrounded by the four winds,that impressive ancient work was found just meters from the current railway station of Faro
That museum is particularly important and it undoubtedly worth a visit also for the finest collection of Roman statues from excavations at nearby Estoi,those rests are unique because they testify the rich archaeological patrimony of the area and they show the very significant value of the ancient Ossonoba in Roman times.
The nearby Igreia do Carmo is the former Carmelite Church and it is is another historical highlight of Faro. Founded by Bishop Antonio Pereira da Silva, who was consecrated in 1719,it is a Baroque Religious building of a very huge size which is accessed through a staircase with two bell towers,one on each side of the central body.
That church began very important n 1808 during the revolt against the French.You can visit the macabre and curious Capela dos Ossos the Chapel of Bones,where the walls are decorated with human bones of more than 1200 monks disinterred from a cemetery near the Church.
Very close to that Church you can see another one the Igreia de Sao Pedro(St.Peter Church) which was built on the remains of a medieval Chapel in the 16th century,but had to be rebuilt after the earthquake in the 18th century.Ir consists in three naves with side chapels,among which there are those of the Blessed Sacrament and the Nossa Senhora da Vitória,(Our Lady of Victory),splendid are the walls are covered with blue tiles and the altar which is a masterpiece of typical Baroque Portuguese style.
In Plaça de Sao Francisco (St.Francis Square) you can see the a major best preserved walled section of the The walls were built in the 9th century during the Moorish occupation but largely modified in the 11th century with the construction of watchtowers and the Arco do Repouso (Arch of rest) an arch which was one of the gates and main entrances to the historic old city and inside the enclosure was built the castle.
Those walls for different reasons,the devastation of the English invasion,the earthquake and in part also a deterioration made that they were renovated several times throughout its history.
The Castelo (the Castle) is situated in the ramparts,it is is dated from the 11th century,although it has a Roman origin and was later reinforced by the Moorish.In the 17th century in a period of golden ages of Portugal and in which there was an intense restorations of monuments but also of military buildings it was was remodelled, adapting the castle walls for the use of artillery and a reason was also to avoid future invasions following the episode of the English attack,when the British troops easily entered in the city.
Its original structure is very austere,since the late 19th century after the defencive purposes were not anymore a main purpose it was used by a private company as a manufacturer of alcohol products.
The streets Rua de Santo Antonio (St.Anthony Street) and Rua
Francisco Gomes (St.Francis Gomes) are the most famous if you want to enjoy shopping,those two places offer a vast quantity of very interesting articles,such as handcrafts,wicker baskets,local
wines,souvenirs,traditional clothing,as well as the famous Azulejos
the typical marvellous tiles of Algarve.Very suggested for all people who wants to find something very traditional including excellent fine wines.In Largo Mercado (Market Square)
you can enjoy a little market of exotic products and it is open every
day.In Praça de Liberdade (Freedom Square) there is one of the most interesting museums of the city,the Regional Museum,which traces the history of the arts and local industries,through several reconstructions of the interiors of houses typical of the area and system models of fishing net still used in tuna fishing.hat exhibition is highly interesting to discover and learn more about Portuguese traditions and culture.
Other relevant attractions of Faro are also concentrated around its harbour.Very significant is the Museo Maritimo the Maritime Museum,with a great collection of model of boats and fishing techniques.From there you can continue south along the street Rua Comandante Manuel Francisco, following the line of railswhere you can enjoy a pleasant maritime promenade,just below the city walls.There you can admire in Obelisco an obelisk 15 meters high erected in the centre of the square Praça Dom Francisco Gomes.
Just in front of the Faro Hospital in the street Rua Leao Penedo,you can see the Faro Jewish Heritage Centre.It is what remains about the Jewish Sephardi community in the South of Portugal.Originally there was in the city a numerous Jewish group,mainly traders and artisans,very active and influential in the local social life.The Jews of Portugal fled the Inquisition at the end of the 15th century and settled mainly in Morocco and Gibraltar and from there the local community was notably reduced.
After the infamous and sad 1755 Lisbon earthquake,the famed Marquis of Pombal invited the descendants of the Jewish settlers to come back to Faro to redevelop and increase the economy of the town and Faro Jewish Cemetery was officially established in 1851 and served as a burial place for 60 family.
The first burial is of the of Rabbi Toledano,dated 1838.The museum is very interesting introducing the visitor the history of the Jewish in that area of Europe,with artifacts of the two non existent Sephardi Synagogues and the first book ever printed in Portugal a copy of Gacon's 1478 Pentateuch in Hebrew language.
Avenida Republica (Republic Avenue )in the northwestern side of the city is the road leading to the Marina, a very scenic spot, where you can watch the boats entering in the harbour and having a lunch or a dinner in some traditional and excellent restaurants offering every day,fresh fish and seafood.
Next to it is situated Avenida Manuel Bivar (Boulevard Manuel Bivar), which marks the beginning of a series of pedestrian streets which hosts local shops,but also branches of the major fashion chains in the world and pose-off of the mall-shopping the greatest concentration of Algarve
Also that area is nice for shopping but also to stroll or sit on the terrace of one of the restaurants in the streets north of it.Both soils have traditional Portuguese paving small white and black like the buildings, most of them very well whitewashed and tiled facades others are well kept and preserved.
Being a university city,Faro has a student population which contribute to the vibrant nightlife of the city.The most lively are the streets Rua do Prior and alleys of street Rua Conselheiro Bivar and Rua Infante Dom Henrique where the clubs go on until late.The bars are open from afternoon until the early hours of the morning.The Upa Upa Café and Bar in Rua Conselheiro Bivar and the Club Dux are the most frequented places to enjoy Faro by night.
Faro has a town beach, Praia de Faro, a sandy beach that opens along the coast of Ilha de Faro which is easily accessible using a ferry service whivh leaves from the pier,located at the Arch from Porta Nova.The beaches around Faro are generally filled with tourists in July and August, if you like quiet times you should visit them in June and September.
In front of Faro you can visit the Ilha Armona (Armona Island).The way to get it is fantastic, since you are going in a small boat,which takes approximately 20 minutes.On the island there is no traffic,no cars and it is a great place to enjoy relax and the maritime landscapes.The beaches are beautiful, golden sand,clear waters and with sandy dunes.The incredible sunsets there are another highlight with a fan of marvellous colours.The island is also a nature reserve, where there is a refuge for variety of chameleons and birds.
Another very interesting local attraction is the Ria Formosa Natural Park,located at a short distance north of the city of Estoi village,which boasts a beautiful pink Rococó palace and Roman ruins dating from the first century.Estoi is located 11,0 km from Faro,it is the first settlements in the area,where was developed
the ancient dormer Roman settlement Ossonoba a great place with the superb discovery,dated the late 19th century,with remains of walls,mosaics rests of temples,showing how wealthy and powerful was that place in ancient times .
The nature park is part of the lagoon system in the area between a succession of long and narrow sandy islands is also a fantastic destination to discover the wide range of special plants,flowers and fauna present in that attractive territory.
Local cuisine is a mecca for the most demanded palates,the right place to enjoy a great and rich traditional gastronomy.Algarve cuisine reminiscent of the presence of the Romans and the Arabs in the region,and proximity to the Ria Formosa"and Atlantic Ocean, are based on fish prepared in casseroles,stews or grilled.
The mackerel,anchovies,sardines,clams and cockles are also fresh,delicious is the Arroz de Marisco (Seafood rice) or the famed Arroz de Ligueirao (Rice with seafood and tomato) another product is the famous and tastefully Bacalhau,cod cooked in different styles,you can try the classic Bacalhau Dorado,Bachalhau Grellhao and Bacalhau Salgado.
The preparation is highly healthy,cooked with an excellent olive oil,herbs and salt.Very popular are also the Sardinhas in the case of that other special gastronomic gem of Algarve you can enjoy the Sardinhas Assadas (Baked sardines) or Sardinhas Grelhadas (grilled sardines)
Typical and traditional of the area is the famed and excellent Cataplana which is a Portuguese seafood dish,a stew symbol of the culinary art of Southern Portugal and concretely Algarve.That stew is also the name of the special cookware used to prepare that speciality, which is traditionally made of copper and shaped like two clam shells hinged at one end and able to be sealed using a clamp on either side of the assembly so Cataplana is the name for both the recipe and utensil in which that recipes is cooked.There are many other plates,about the desserts try the Dulce Don Rodrigo the traditional cake of the area.
About wines,Algarve offers the visitors an ample range of fine and selected wines,the mild and sunny climate of that Portuguese area is perfect to cultivate vineyards which produce sublime grapes very robust,aromatic and full of flavour.The Portimao and Tavira DOC are very popular in all the country,including the DOC of Lagos and Lagoa.
There is also an excellent production of local Malvasia,of high quality and higlhly palatable are the local Syrah,Alvarinho,Arinto,superb Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and also a great Touriga Nacional which is very suggested to all people who wants to enjoy a wine of high ranking.Portuguese wines for their magnificent taste are part of the International Elite satisfying the most exigent people,they are wines which immediately leave in the mouth after the first sip the aroma of a healthy grape which does not need presentations.
Faro is a destination also for concerts and several events in summer the city hosts the music festival O Verao Musical do
Algarve (The Musical Summer of Algarve) to glad the period
between May and September. There are also two important religious
holidays,in July with an important local participation is celebrated Feira do Senhora do Carmo and in the and early
October takes place Feira de Santa Iria.In late July,the city is filled by
motorcyclists for the important meeting Motorcycle Rallye.Faro is also the most important university of southern Portugal and, thanks to its international airport,in recent years tourism has increased significantly,thus leading to the development of services, infrastructures and accommodation facilities.
The city is also famous for being one of the first centres of Portugal where it spread the press,it seems that in the 15th century in the city were the first books printed in Portugal.Today the town continues to be an important fishing port, from which many economic activities such as industry of storage and processing of fish, including fresh fish wholesale trade,the export of seafood,and the production of fruit and vegetables reaching important European markets.
Faro has an international airport especially in the busy summer season is a good number of tourists, and also houses low-cost airlines.It is located approximately 6,0 km west of the city and it is reached by the N125 road.
Algarve is not just beaches,its cities as in the case of Faro are a mine of artistic and historic treasures,(sometimes underrated including Silves and Loulé) ,art,history,culture and nature in a more than interesting contrast come together to offer the visitors the best experience of an unforgettable holiday also showing places as Faro,a splendid and unique destination to enjoy all year with its multitude attractions to show with pride and its great and sunny welcoming atmosphere.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Hotels in Faro
Hotel Faro
Hotel Eva
Estoi Palace Hotel Pusada de Faro
Hotel Best Western Dom Bernardo
www.cm-faro.pt
www.hotelfaro.pt
www.tdhotels.com/eva/pt
www.pousadas.pt
www.bestwesterndombernardo.com
www.hotelmonaco.pt
www.turismodoalgarve.pt
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