IGREJA DO CARMO & IGREJA DOS CARMELITAS

On the left with the bell tower is the Carmelitas Church which once was part of a 17th-century convent of the Carmelite order and is the older of the two churches. It sports a typically classical façade completed in 1628. The façade is carved from granite and has three portals topped with statues. The interior is richly gilded in the baroque and rococo styles. It's well-lit by numerous large windows and a brightly coloured ceiling. Its single nave houses six ornately decorated side chapels. The recently restored organ is unusual and has horizontal horns protruding from the pipe area. During the Napoleonic occupation, the building served a less holy purpose as a troop barracks (1808-1814). Today the former Carmelite convent building is the headquarters of the GNR (Portuguese National Guard).
Monday - Friday: 07h15 - 19h00, Weekends & Holidays: 09h00 - 18h45 | FREE

Occupying the right-hand side of the complex is the 18th-century Carmo Church (Igreja da Venerável Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Carmo), fronted by one of the finest examples of Portuguese Rococo or late Baroque. It was constructed between 1756 and 1768 under the guidence of the architect Jose de Figueiredo Seixas, who was a disciple of Nicolau Nasoni. The most famous feature is the wall richly decorated with a mosaic of Azulejos (blue tiles) depicting the founding of the Carmelite Order and Mount Carmel. This mosaic adorning the whole eastern flank of the church was designed by Silvestre Silvestri and painted by Carlos Branco in Vila Nova de Gaia in 1912.

Its richly crafted façade has a rectangular portal flanked by two statues of the prophets Elijah and Elisha carved in Italy. The finely decorated interior is in the Baroque and Rococo styles. Gilded woodcarvings embellish the altar. A single nave has seven lavish gilded altars, the work of sculptor Francisco Pereira Campanha. Several fine oil paintings hang from the walls.
Monday - Friday: 07h15 - 19h00, Weekends & Holidays: 09h00 - 18h45 | FREE

Tram 22

Porto's trams, or street cars, (electrico) once had routes all over the city, but sadly, only three remain. They run as a living museum offering visitors an enjoyable way to see the city. The Tram 22 departs from Batalha and traverses in a one-way loop of central Porto to Carmo where it connects with the number 18 tram route. A one-way trip takes about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Timetable | One Way: €3.50/Return: €6.00

The Carmo and Carmelitas churches are located in a beautiful square in the Baixa district. The square acquired its name from the illustrious mathematician Gomes Teixeira, the first rector of the University of Porto. Praça de Gomes Teixeira is famed for a marble fountain and four statues of winged lions surrounding it. Intending to supply water to the district, the Fonte dos Leões was commissioned by the Companhia das Águas do Porto in 1882 and built in France. Its octagonal granite pool has a diameter of eight metres and the whole fountain stands six metres tall. There are several university faculties in the area resulting in a chilled-out café culture feel about the place during the day. The area comes to life in the evenings and a popular meeting place for a crazy night out.

Getting There

Contact Details
Rua do Carmo, 4060-164 Porto, Portugal. | 41° 08' 51"N | 08° 36' 58"W
+351 222 050 279 |  Website