| FARO |
Faro, the provincial capital, stands on a fertile plain rich
with orange and olive groves, fruit trees, figs, almonds and
maize fields. The town's capture on 12 March, 1249, marked the
end of Moorish rule in the Algarve, the last Muslim province
in Portugal.
The Romans made it an important centre and called it Ossónoba.
Under the Moors it was a large port and a vital link to Portugal's
interior. Today the town serves as a gateway to the south for
millions of holidaymakers, mainly Europeans, who flock to the
Algarve for a few days of fun in the sun.
What to see. At the heart of the old part of the city,
the Largo da Sé is a peaceful square lined with orange
trees and flanked by the bishops' palace, which is still in
use. Just outside the city's ancient walls through a Moorish
archway, the 18th-century curch of São Francisco is impressively
decorated with tiled scenes of the life of St Francis. Further
north is the 17th-century chapel of Pé da Cruz with interesting
oil panels of stories from Genesis, such as the creation of
the sun and stars. The town's maritime museum housed in the
harbour master's building on the waterfront, has an extensive
collection of oceanographic instruments and model ships.
Nearby. Nature lovers exploring the Ria Formosa Natural
Park will find numerous wildfowl and waders, snakes, chameleons
and various other species. 8 km north of Faro, the peaceful
village of Estoi boasts an exquisite pink-coloured Rococo palace
and a Roman complex dating from the 1st century. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
