National Monument -
This renaissance style building features a Manueline church with a baroque dome and a lateral renaissance portal entrance.
Noteworthy is the two floored “Coimbrão” style cloister with tower buttresses, rounded arches on the ground floor, an architrave on the upper floor being decorated with gargoyles.
In 1519 Queen D. Leonor, orders the construction, on the grounds where for centuries a prosperous Jewish Quarter was settled, a convent for the Nuns of Santa Clara. The construction passes onto Queen D. Catarina that appoints the architect Afonso Pires for continuing it.
By 1550 the Nª Sra. da Assunção Convent or the also called Nun’s Convent construction is complete.
The British troops attack in 1596 causes major damages as the 1755 earthquake did leading the church and part of the dorms to collapse.
In the 19th century the convent is abandoned and the nuns moved to Tavira. Late that century the building is bought by private investors that established a cork factory in it.
In 1948 is classified as a National Monument, being restored in the 60’s decade.
Since 1973 it houses Henry, the Navigator - Archaeological and Lapidary Museum, presently designated as Faro Municipal Museum.
Virtual tour
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Specifications
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Classification
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National Monument
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Commissioned by
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Queen Leonor
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Design
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Afonso Pires, architect (entrance to church and cloister); Diogo Pires, master of works under Queen Catarina in the city of Faro (chancel window) |
| Date of construction/reconstruction/other work |
16th, 18th, 19th and 20th century
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| Type |
Religious architecture, Renaissance, Mannerist. Architectural complex comprising a cloister, annexes, church and wall. Cloister with four wings opening off into several square/rectangular outbuildings on two levels, church longitudinal in plan, a single nave covered with a barrel vault; square chancel covered by a dome, choir loft and lower choir, and side entrance
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| Special features |
The cloister is one of the most significant examples of the first Renaissance in the Algarve. With protruding buttresses topped by zoomorphic gargoyles separating the semi-circular arches on the ground floor and the architraves on the upper floor. The ground floor of the wings is covered by cross vaults. The main doorway of the church has Corinthian pilasters carved on plinths. The cornice is surmounted by a coat of arms with the insignia of the founder
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Adress: Lrg. D. Afonso III, n.º 148000-167 Faro37º0'46.68''N 7º56'2.57''WPhone: (+351) 289 870 829 - from a national fixed networkE-mail: museu.municipal@cm-faro.ptWebsite: www.cm-faro.pt
Open:1st June to 30th September – Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 / 19:00Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 / 18:00
Closed on Monday Entrance fee.