Church of São Francisco

Welcome to the Igreja de São Francisco, arguably the most important and visually stunning religious monument in Porto. As we stand before its rugged, granite exterior, it is difficult to imagine the opulent, golden world that…

Before we enter, let us examine the facade, which serves as a testament to the church's 14th-century origins. The building is a prime example of Portuguese Gothic architecture, characterized by its solid, fortress-like granite…

As you step into the nave, you are immediately confronted by the 'talha dourada.' It is estimated that over 300 kilograms of gold leaf were used to gild these intricate woodcarvings, which cover the walls, columns, ceilings, and…

In the north aisle, you will find what many consider to be the church's artistic crowning jewel: the Tree of Jesse. This polychrome wood sculpture, created between 1718 and 1721 by Filipe da Silva and António Gomes, depicts the…

After exiting the main church, we move to the adjacent building which houses the Museum of the Third Order of Saint Francis. This museum is located in the old annexes and provides a crucial historical context for the religious…

Descending from the museum, we enter one of the most haunting spaces in the city: the Catacombs. This subterranean cemetery was built in the late 18th century to accommodate the burials of the members of the Third Order of Saint…

To conclude our tour of the São Francisco complex, we must look at the physical relationship between the church and its neighbor, the Palácio da Bolsa. Until 1832, where the Bolsa now stands, there was a magnificent Gothic…

Our visit to the Church of São Francisco comes to an end, yet the golden afterimage of its interior will likely remain with you for a long time. We have journeyed through the austere granite origins of the 14th century, into the…