The Church of São Francisco is a Gothic church of the Franciscan order in the historic centre of Porto, built in the 14th century and lined inside with gilded carved wood in the 17th and 18th centuries.
It is the only part of the São Francisco convent left after the fire of 1832, and the Venerable Third Order of São Francisco manages it today.
The church is part of the Historic Centre of Oporto, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What to see at the Church of São Francisco
- Gilded woodwork: altarpieces of gilded carved wood cover the aisles, pillars and chapels, over a Gothic church of three naves.
- Tree of Jesse: an altarpiece in polychrome carved wood showing the ancestors of Christ, carved by Filipe da Silva and António Gomes under a contract of 1718.
- Senhora da Rosa: a mural painting attributed to António de Florentim, one of the oldest mural paintings preserved in Portugal.
- Casa do Despacho: the house of the Third Order, designed by Nicolau Nasoni and built from 1747 to 1749, with its session room and collections.
- Catacombs: a burial ground below the Casa do Despacho, used for members and benefactors of the Order from 1749 to 1866.
History of the Church of São Francisco
- 1233: the Franciscan friars receive land in Porto to build their church.
- 14th century: the present Gothic church is built.
- Early 18th century: the interior is remodelled with the main altarpieces of gilded wood.
- 1747 to 1749: the Third Order builds the Casa do Despacho to Nasoni's design.
- 1832: a fire during the Siege of Porto destroys the cloisters of the convent and spares the church. The site of the cloisters later receives the Palácio da Bolsa.
- 1910: the church is classified as a National Monument.
- 1957: restoration of the church begins.
Visiting the Church of São Francisco
- Location: the church stands on Rua do Infante D. Henrique, next to the Palácio da Bolsa and above the Ribeira.
- Tickets: the church, the Casa do Despacho and the catacombs are visited on one museum route, and the Third Order website publishes current times and prices.
Places to visit in Porto
بورتو، البرتغال
مركز بورتو التاريخي، وجسر لويس الأول، ودير سيرا دو بيلار
قصر البورصة
مكتبة ليلو
فوز دو دورو
كنيسة وبرج كليريجوس
كنيسة القديس فرنسيس
محطة سان بينتو
كاتدرائية بورتو
سيرالفيس
دار الموسيقى
سوق بولهاو
تاريخ بورتو
زيارة بورتو