{"id":9827,"date":"2022-02-07T14:05:25","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T14:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/church-of-sao-francisco-porto\/"},"modified":"2024-01-18T14:22:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T14:22:05","slug":"church-of-sao-francisco-porto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/church-of-sao-francisco-porto\/","title":{"rendered":"The Church of S\u00e3o Francisco in Porto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the heart of Porto, a stone’s throw from the banks of the Douro, the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco is, along with the Porto Cathedral<\/a> and the Cl\u00e9rigos Tower<\/a>, one of the most emblematic religious buildings in the Northern Capital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 The Captain\u2019s tip<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83e\uddd0 Want to know more about Porto’s history?<\/strong> Captain Ulysses highly recommends this free guided tour of the city<\/a><\/mark>. It\u2019s up to you to choose how much you wish to tip the tour guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca4 Looking for an hotel in Porto?<\/strong> Be sure to check out the Captain’s article: Where to stay in Porto? Advice & recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfdb Planning your trip to Porto?<\/strong> Be sure to check out Captain Ulysses’ complete article on what to see and do in the city: a Guide to Porto<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udc76 Planning a family adventure to Porto?<\/strong> Discover all of the Captain\u2019s top tips in the article: Exploring Porto with the Kids: Family-Friendly Activities<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Brief history of the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Built between 1383 and 1410 by the order of the Franciscans on\nthe location of a small church, the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco ( Igreja \nS\u00e3o Francisco<\/em> \/ Church of Saint Francis) is a masterpiece of Gothic\narchitecture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the two centuries that followed the church’s construction, several side chapels were built, in particular the chapel of Saint John the Baptist designed by Jo\u00e3o de Castilho, thanks to donations from wealthy families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 18th<\/sup> century, the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco underwent major renovation works: the portal was restored in a resolutely Baroque style and the interior of the building was covered with talhas douradas<\/em>, gilded woodwork. History has it that the gildings necessitated 300 to 500 kilograms of Brazilian gold!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1833, the Franciscan convent adjoining the church was destroyed in a fire. The land on which the convent stood was ceded to the Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Comercial do Porto, who built the Palacio da Bolsa<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco in Porto<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The facade of the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco in Porto<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before entering the building, take some time to linger outside\nthe Church of S\u00e3o Francisco to admire its beautiful facade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the building has on the whole retained its original Gothic style,\nthe portal of the church was restored in the 18th century:\nBaroque in style, it is adorned with twisted columns as well as a statue of Saint Francis,\nPatron of the Franciscan Order. The rose window is the only vestige of the\noriginal facade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Church<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Dispatch House of the Order (Casa de Despachos)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To the left of the church, the the Dispatch House of the Order\nhouses the ticket office, as well as a small museum of sacred art and liturgical objects.\nIt is the starting point of the visit of the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Church<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The catacombs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nestled under the Dispatch House of the Order,\nthe catacombs are home to the remains of the Franciscan friars as well as of some\nnobles of Porto. You’ll even be able to have a look at an ossuary through a glass\nslab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access to the catacombs is included in the visit to the\nChurch of S\u00e3o Francisco and the Dispatch House of the Order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Church<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The interior of the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco in Porto<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If the Dispatch House of the Order and the\ncatacombs are well worth seeing, the highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the interior\nof the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One key word: gildings! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the choir, be sure to have a look at the altarpiece representing the Tree of Jesse (the genealogical tree of Jesus Christ) created by the Portuguese artists Philippe da Silva, Ant\u00f3nio Gomes, and Manuel Carneiro Adam in the 18th<\/sup> century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Inside<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Church<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting to the Church of S\u00e3o Francisco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Church of S\u00e3o Francisco is located a stone’s throw from the Palacio\nda Bolsa and a hundred meters from the banks of the Douro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The closest public transports\nare: <\/p>\n\n\n\n