IGREJA DO CARMO & IGREJA DOS CARMELITAS
One can be forgiven in thinking the Carmo and Carmelitas churches are one large building. They are in fact, two separate entities. Sandwiched in between them is an extremely narrow building that served as a protector of the virtues of the Carmelite monks and the nuns of the convent next door.
IGREJA DOS CARMELITAS
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. Carved from granite, the façade has three portals topped with statues. The interior is richly gilded in the baroque and rococo style. 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
IGREJA DO CARMO
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 example of Portuguese Rococo or late Baroque. It was designed by Jose de Figueiredo Seixas, a disciple of Nicolau Nasoni, and was constructed between 1756 and 1768. Its 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 façade is richly crafted with a rectangular portal, flanked by two religious sculptures of the prophets Elijah and Elisha carved in Italy. The interior is finely decorated in the baroque and rococo styles. Gilded woodcarvings embellishing the alter. Its single nave has seven lavish gilt altars, the work of sculptor Francisco Pereira Campanha, as well as several fine oil paintings.
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, sadly now 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 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
Tiles on the exterior wall of the Igreja do Carmo
Dual façade of the Igreja do Carmo and the Igreja dos Carmelitas
Getting There
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São Bento Train Station CP Website |
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| Bus: 12M, 13M, 200, 201, 207, 208, 300, 302, 305, 501, 507, 601, 602 and 703
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| Metro: Aliados (Line D) | Timetable Metro do Porto Website |
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| 22 Old Tram: Carmo - Batalha | Timetable STCP Website |
Contact Details
Rua do Carmo, 4060-164 Porto, Portugal. |
41° 08' 51"N | 08° 36' 58"W
+351 222 050 279 | Website
