Portugal’s coastline is famed for its golden sands and perpetual sunshine. Faro is no different, being frequented by sun-loving tourists from around the world. However, few people know that it is also a hidden gem for those who love quirky holidays and destinations that are enriched with historical heritage.
Head towards the town’s centre rather than the beachside and you’ll certainly be thrilled with the opportunity for an offbeat adventure. Two of its most popular monuments, its main Cathedral and Igreja do Carmo Church, have intriguing bone chapels hidden within their depths. Spooky…
Capela dos Ossos
Literally translated as the ‘Bone Chapel’, Capela dos Ossos is housed within the Igreja do Carmo Church. As a tourist attraction, it is totally unexpected in such a cheery destination such as this. Located at the back of the church, this chapel is decorated with the bones of about a thousand skeletons. It is truly fascinating to see the geometric precision with which the designs are structured, with skulls and bones placed intricately to create a well-defined pattern. The reason behind this eerie style of decoration is even more interesting. The bones that adorn this chapel were exhumed in the 19th century to relieve the community’s overcrowded cemetery and these skeletal remains belong to monks who worked in the city. The Capela dos Ossos is definitely the town’s most interesting yet creepy attraction.
Faro Cathedral
The first thing that strikes you about the Cathedral is the wonderful selection of painted tiles that adorn its walls. Using a striking colour combination of blue complemented with various tones of yellow, the tile art depicts a range of biblical scenes. However, beyond the typically serene facade of the Cathedral lies a mysterious Bone Chapel. Located in a separate structure from the Cathedral itself, the Bone Chapel is also decorated with human bones, just like Capela dos Ossos. Besides this, there’s something else that makes the building special. If you walk up the narrow staircase to the top of the structure, you will be able to take in a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the town. While you may not find much information about this little chapel in usual tourist brochures, do make it a point to visit this unusual attraction. You will not regret it.
How to Get There
Faro’s international airport is served by several flights from a variety of different cities, which makes it very convenient to fly into. It’s a very good idea to book a Faro airport transfer in advance so you won’t face any delays to reach your accommodation. Then there’ll be plenty of time left to discover the joys of this lovely place.
Whether you’re a backpacker, culture lover or romantic couple, this destination has the best of both worlds – an interesting history to discover and ample sunshine for a superb beach holiday. So what are you waiting for? Book your flights, reserve your Faro airport transfer and secure your accommodation right away for a unique and affordable adventure. Faro offers an eclectic mix of experiences that will make your trip truly exceptional.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for the most convenient and affordable Faro airport transfer, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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