Apr 28 2008
Carmo Church
The Carmo Church is located in Faro in Algarve; its architectural structure is from the late Baroque period. This church was inaugurated by Bishop Antonio da Silva in 1713. This is also called as Igreja do Carmo and this church was also renovated after the earthquake that hit Algarve in 1755.
This church is actually connected to another church which is the Carmelitas Church. These two churches are connected by just a one meter wide house. The Carmelitas Church was used to be a convent in the seventeenth century; its interior is richly gilded and this also has a façade and a bell tower. And the Carmo Church on the right side was built in the eighteenth century. This church has only one nave which is made up of gilded carvings and in seven altars. You can see on its exterior side of the wall, it is covered with blue and white tiles. This late baroque-style church was designed by Francisco Pereira Campanha. The house between the churches was built and was inhabited due to the law that stated that there shouldn’t be two churches can share a wall. This also ensured the chastity of the monks and the nuns in the Carmo Church and Carmelitas Church respectively.
You can also find in the interior of the church the Brazilian gold leaf and the Chapel of Bones. This is one of the weirdest exhibits in a church. You can see the walls of the chapel that are covered in bones and in skulls. They have taken out these skeletons from the cemetery of the church. They have put it on display as a reminder of mortality. You will find this church at the Rua do Carmo in Faro; you can get there by walking through the Avenida dos Aliados.