Church and Museum of São Francisco of Porto

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Centro Histórico

Location

The Church and Museum of São Francisco is located in the heart of Porto's Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. Its privileged location places it in one of the city's oldest and most emblematic neighbourhoods, breathing Porto's history and culture at every corner.

Gothic Heritage and Baroque Splendor

The initial structure of the Church of São Francisco dates back to the 14th century, revealing traces of Gothic architecture that have been maintained throughout the centuries. However, it is its interior that truly surprises with the profusion of gilded carving. This remarkable ornamentation, applied between the 17th and 18th centuries, makes it one of the richest and most beautiful repositories of Baroque art in Portugal, contrasting uniquely with the original sobriety of its architecture. The skill of Porto's carvers is evident here, transforming the space into a testament to the artistic mastery of the era.

On the exterior, the church retains its main façade, with a finely elaborated Gothic rose window. The main portal, however, is a Baroque work featuring a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, flanked by Solomonic columns. There is also a south portal, of Gothic character, which stands out for its decoration with elements of Mudéjar influence.

Artistic Details and Unique Compositions

Upon exploring the church's interior, with its three naves, one discovers a series of altarpieces representing the work of various masters and periods. One of the highlights is the Tree of Jesse, an 18th-century gilded carving altarpiece, which stands out as one of the most exuberant examples of this theme in Portugal. This complex work features twelve images of the kings of Judah, culminating in the Virgin and Child. Also noteworthy are one of the oldest mural paintings in the country, the Lady of the Rose, and a 13th-century granite sculpture of Saint Francis, located to the right of the entrance portico, bearing the Franciscan arms.

The Museum Route and the Catacombs

The visit extends beyond the Church, encompassing a museum route in the adjoining Casa do Despacho. This building, whose construction was completed in 1749 under the design of architect Nicolau Nasoni, is a remarkable example of 18th-century Porto Baroque architecture. On the first floor, the Sala do Tesouro displays a collection of pieces that tell the history of the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis and of the city of Porto itself.

On the upper floor, the Sala de Sessões impresses with its octagonal ceiling, adorned with painted coffers and gilded carving inlays, and its walls decorated with portraits and religious paintings. Also included in this complex is the Cemitério Catacumbal, a unique underground space. This cemetery, which served as a burial place for the Order's benefactors between 1749 and 1866, features a Baroque altar and an ossuary where thousands of bones can be observed.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt