Easy hikes and walks around Faro (Sé)

Saint Francis: The large blue-and-white tile panel (azulejo) depicts Saint Francis of Assisi, surrounded by Christian symbolism. It is a beautiful and characteristic example of traditional Portuguese street art. [1] Beautiful contrast: The bright blue decorative tiles form a stunningly photogenic contrast with the whitewashed walls of the church complex. The church behind it: If you are here, it is definitely worth stepping inside the Igreja de São Francisco itself. The interior is richly decorated with even larger, historical 18th-century gold and tile panels that tell the life story of the saint.

Traditional Azulejos: The monument consists of a tableau of traditional, hand-painted blue and white Portuguese decorative tiles (azulejos). Historical symbolism: The detailed painting depicts the chaos and drama in the capital Lisbon during the disaster on November 1, 1755, when a severe earthquake, a tsunami, and a city fire that raged for days reduced a large part of the city to ashes. The link with Faro: The disaster in Lisbon also had major consequences for the Algarve region. Because the original regional capital Lagos was largely destroyed by the tsunami at the time, Faro was designated as the new capital of the Algarve in 1756, partly because the city was better protected behind the Ria Formosa lagoon.

The construction of the town hall started in 1883 based on the design of the Italian architect Francisco Xavier Fabri. The impressive facade that you see today was completely renovated in 1945 by architect Jorge Oliveira. The building is a beautiful example of the neoclassical style with baroque influences, complete with ornate plasterwork, elegant balconies, and the official coat of arms of Portugal above the entrance.

Centuries-old monastery: This photogenic courtyard originally belonged to the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção (the Monastery of Our Lady of the Assumption), built in the early 16th century (Renaissance style). For centuries, nuns lived here in total seclusion. In addition to the beautiful courtyard itself, the museum houses an impressive archaeological collection, including a huge Roman mosaic (the Mosaico Oceano) from the 3rd century and busts of Roman emperors.

Arab roots: Unlike many other structures in Faro that were rebuilt later, the foundation of this gate dates directly back to the 12th-century Arab (Moorish) period. The gate was fortified at the time by the Almohads to protect the city from invaders. The legend of the 'Gate of Rest': The name Porta do Repouso literally means Gate of Rest. According to a well-known local legend, the gate owes its name to King Afonso III. It is said that when he reconquered Faro from the Moors in 1249, he rested here after the heavy battle. Double defense: As you walk through it, you notice that the gate forms a kind of lock or double arch. This was a deliberate military tactic: if the enemy broke through the first gate, they would be trapped in the space between, and the defenders could strike from above.

Highly recommended in autumn, I don't want to know how crowded it gets here in summer…

The old town around the town hall with its alleys, buildings and shops is extremely worth seeing 👀

…the mosaic and the surrounding houses are a beautiful motif 👀📸