Built in the 11th century AD it was one of the elbowed shaped entrances to the Old Town during the Islamic period.
It is the only horseshoe arch still in its original place in the Algarve.
This door is represented in the medieval illumination Cantigas de Santa Maria (Songs to the Virgin Mary) by Alfonso X.
According to the legend there was an image of the Virgin Mary on the walls that the Muslims threw into the sea; from then on the earth and the sea stopped providing food.
The Muslims put the image back on its former place and the earth started giving fruit and the sea started giving plenty of fish.
Adress:
Rua do Município,
8000-398 Faro
37º0'52.96''N 7º56'5.48''W
Phone: (+351) 289 870 870
Fax: (+351) 289 870 039
E-mail: museu.municipal@cm-faro.pt
Website: www.cm-faro.pt