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Faro - History
Faro is the administrative centre for the whole of the Algarve region
with a population in excess of 55.000 people. The city has both
Arab and Roman ruins but most of the present attractive older
buildings were constructed after the disastrous earthquake of both 1755
and 1532. The Moors who occupied the town in the 8th Century originally
gave the city it the name of Ossónoba and developed it into a
trading port until 1249. They were then defeated by the forces of
Dom Afonso III. With the decline of the importance of the city
of Silves this town took over the role of administration of the
Algarve area. The Earl of Essex sacked the town in 1596 with his fellow
crusaders on their journey to the Holy Land and the collection of books
taken from the palace of the Bishop of Faro became an important
part of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, England. Another interesting
point is that during the 500 years of Moorish occupation there
were some Jewish inhabitants in Faro who were kept busy printing
copies of the Old Testament.
Faro - Description
Particularly attractive is the old part of the city surrounded still
by the Roman walls which date back to the 9th. Inside a spacious open
square that was once the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th Century
Cathedral that faces the 18th Century Episcopal palace. An interesting
building is the neighbouring 16th Century Convent that is now turned
into the home of the city’s archaeological museum. Within it is a
section devoted to the Arab occupation. The "golden" church of Nossa
Senhora do Carmo is claimed to be the best example of gold-leaf
woodwork in southern Portugal. It also contains the macabre spectacle of
a chapel lined with the bones from over 1.200 monks! Next to the small
boat basin bordering the Praça de Dom Francisco Gomes is a small
Naval Museum composed of scale model boats and galleons showing the
maritime history of the coast. Much of the city is now composed of
apartments and there are attractive shops and a particularly artistic
theatre. Faro is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature
reserve of over 17.000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of
different birds during the spring and autumn migratory periods.
The beach is almost 7 Kms distant from the city and is a long sandy spit
reached by crossing a bridge not far from the International Airport. The
municipal council has an active cultural department organizing different
and various events during the year.
Faro - Nearby Locations
Near to Faro is the small town of Almancil where nearby
can be found the church of São Lourenço de Matos renown for its
18th Century blue tiles.
To the north of Faro at the inland village of Estói there
are some notable roman ruins of Milreu depicting a 3rd Century
Roman home that enjoyed more comforts than some of the newly built villas
in today’s world. The Parish Church was built in the 16th century on the
site of a previous chapel. Here, may be found the Manor House know as
"Palácio de Estoi" which is due to be converted into a
Pousada. Further to the north of this village is the town of Santa
Barbára de Nexe with a bronze age hilltop fort nearby.
The well-known developments of Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo,
both five star holiday areas are located west of Faro. Together
they provide 7 top quality golf courses, tennis centres, riding schools,
hotels, holiday resorts and villas.
Faro Weather (detailed)
Detailed Faro weather conditions
Detailed Ria de Faro weather conditions
Faro Guest Book
Faro Forum
Faro Photographs
View from Castle
· Town Centre
· Faro Boat Marina
· Monastery
· Church Dome
· Church
Faro Map
Town Map
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Faro Events |
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| Traditional Burial Procession |
March |
| Feira de Arte e Artenasanato (Art & Handicrafts) |
June |
| Concentração Internacional de Motos (Motorbikes) |
July |
| Town Holiday |
7th September |
| Feira de Santa Iria |
October
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| Car Boot Sale -
(Parque das Cidades) |
1st & 3rd
Sundays
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Faro Accommodation
Guest & Manor Houses
· Hotels
· Inns
Faro Accommodation - Pousada
São Brás
Faro Entertainment
Night Life
· Restaurants
· What to Do
Faro Golf
www.algarvegolf.net
Faro Property
Estate Agents
Faro Vehicle Hire
Rent a Car
Faro Wines
Algarve Wines
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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Faro Telephone Numbers
8000
