Sao Francisco Church
The 14th-century
Igreja de Sao Francisco Church is the most prominent example of Gothic
architecture in Porto.
Originally part of
the St. Francis Convent built in the 13th century, the church is the only
structure that survived a fire in 1842.
A steep climb from the riverside leads
visitors to the massive stone façade, which is ornamented by a large rosette
window. The interior of the church was given a baroque makeover in the 18th
century when almost all of the aisles, pillars, and chapels were covered with
lavishly ornamented gilded carvings featuring cherubs, flowers, and animals.
The battlemented façade has conical or spiral-shaped spires. The Manueline entrance to the church carries above a pelican, the emblem of king João II and an armillary, emblem of king Manuel I.
The church shows majestic proportions: 36 x 34 x 24 m. The single, groin-vaulted nave gives a wide impression, accentuated by the white mortar on the walls and the columns. This is the largest nave of this kind to be found in Portuguese churches. The spacious vault of the crossing rests on ogival arches. The father of Portuguese drama Gil Vicente is buried at the left side of the entrance.
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| Side altar with Flemish paintings |
The sides of the nave contain twelve open chapels, built between the buttresses of the wall.
