The Discover Portugal blog contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See the Disclaimer for more information.
Discover the beautiful golden São Francisco Church Porto
If you’re visiting Porto and want to see one of the most unique churches in Portugal, don’t miss the São Francisco Church.
From the outside, it looks fairly simple, but step inside, and you’ll find an interior completely covered in gold. Yup, our jaw dropped!
The church is filled with intricate wood carvings, gilded altarpieces, and several chapels that make it feel almost overwhelming in the best way.
When we visited, what stood out most wasn’t just the decoration, but the contrast between the stunning interior and the darker history hidden in the catacombs below.
The monument actually includes multiple buildings and underground areas you can explore, making it much more than a quick stop.
Here’s what to expect, what not to miss, and how to plan your visit to one of the most beautiful churches in Porto.
What to expect at São Francisco Church, Porto
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
A brief history of the São Francisco Church in Porto
It’s unknown when the Franciscan friars reached Porto, but Pope Gregory IX sent a letter in 1233 stating that the See should accommodate the monks on land they inherited. Eleven years later, Pope Innocent IV authorised the friars to build a convent, granting them the protection of the Bishop of Compostela.
The primitive church was remodelled in 1383, during King D. Fernando’s royal mediation, and is the church we see today. It was built in the Mendicant Gothic architecture style, but the portal dates back to the 17th century.
In 1834, five years after the extension of religious orders in Portugal, the convent church was handed over to the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis of Porto.
Igreja de São Francisco is not open for religious worship but as a museum. São Francisco Church has been a national monument since 1910 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
What to see inside Igreja de São Francisco?
When you visit São Francisco Church in Porto, you’ll see several parts of the building. You will start in the church, followed by the museum and finally the catacombs. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect and some of the highlights.
The Church of the Convent of São Francisco of Porto
Once you enter the main church, you will see why it’s known as the Golden Church in Porto! The complex is covered in gold! But when you look closer, you also discover religious sculptures and paintings.
One of the most notable is the Retable of Nossa Senhora da Rosa, made in 1743. It contains a 15th-century mural with characteristics of the Italian School and represents a holy conversation.
The Retable of the Tree of Jesse, a wooden sculpture, was commissioned in 1718 by António Gomes and Filipe da Silva and is one of the most exuberant depictions of the Tree of Jesse in Portugal.
The tree represents the genealogy of Jesus Christ, whose roots unfold from Jesse’s recumbent body and develop into branches bearing the kings of Judah. It is an interpretation of the Old Testament and the Gospels.
Several noble families contributed to the Order of St Francis in the 16th century, and today, we can still enjoy the chapels. Discover the chapels of Saint Anthony and the Brandão Family, for example.
In the latter, you will also find the tombs of Fernão and Diogo Brandão. The Saint Anthony chapel was built in Rococo style. The chapel of the Carneiro Family is another funerary chapel and dates back to 1525.
The St Francis Church contains many more retables and several chapels. You can look at all the details, including the chancel at the main chapel. The building follows the mendicant Gothic style rules and contains three naves. Take a seat and spend some time admiring the interior of the Church of São Francisco.
Church and Sacristy of the Third Order
The second part of your visit will take you to the Church and Sacraity of the Third Order. It was built in 1795 in a neoclassical design.
You will spot the coast of arms of the Order in the centre of the triumphal arch, and the ceiling is decorated with paintings. The paintings represent St Francis handing Rule to Saint Lucius and Saint Bona.
The Museum of São Francisco
Part three of the building is the Museum of São Francisco, housed in the former Casa do Despacho or Dispatch House.
Nicolau Nasosi, one of the most outstanding architects in Porto at that time, designed it in 1746. A sculpture room represents Franciscan iconography, and Francis of Assisi plays a prominent role here.
The staircase leading to the next floor is decorated with neoclassical paintings. Here, you can see the treasury, which displays silverware in Baroque, Rococo, and neoclassical styles.
The Sessions Room, with its ceiling decorated with fleurons, is one of the most stunning decorative arts rooms in the city of Porto.
The catacombs
Lastly, you will see the underground catacomb cemetery, which is unique in Porto! It was built in 1746 by stonemasons António da Silva, Pedro Pereira and Manuel Pereira. The catacombs were used as a burial place for the brothers of the Order.
Bodies were moved from the church and graveyard, and the church was enlarged in 1802. The vaulted space has beautiful wood carvings, and you can find multiple rooms with graves. You can even spot the bones of some Franciscan monks.
Weather Tip!
Visiting the Church of são Francisco is perfect when it rains, as you can easily spend an hour or longer there. Check out other highlights in Porto which are suitable for a rainy day!
São Francisco Church tickets
The Igreja de São Francisco entrance fee is €9.00 for adults and can be bought at the church entrance. If you have the Porto Card, you receive a 25% discount on your entrance ticket.
- Adults: €9.00
- Students: €6.50
- Children 6-12: €2.50
- Children up to 5 years old: free
Opening times of São Francisco Church
Igreja de São Francisco is open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM in summer (April 1st until September 30th) and from 9 AM to7 PM in winter (October 1st until March 31st). The church is closed on December 25th.
How to get to the Church of São Francisco
São Francisco Church is centrally located at Rua do Infante Dom Henrique, 4050-297 in Porto. It is behind Bolsa Palace and within walking distance of Ribeira.
From São Bento Station, it’s a 10-minute walk. You can also take bus 500, which stops in front of the church.
Things to see nearby
Porto is a hilly but walkable city, and close to the Church of São Francisco are many other sites to discover.
The closest is Bolsa Palace, which is just around the corner. You can enjoy a guided tour of the Stock Exchange Palace and discover the incredible Arab Room.
The Ribeira area is also nearby, and here, you can step onboard a boat tour along the six bridges.
Do you like seeing more religious buildings? Then a visit to the Sé Cathedral should be on your list! You can even combine it with the Bishop’s Palace.
From Porto Cathedral, you can enjoy one of the best viewpoints in Porto, but climbing the Clérigos Tower is also a great idea with clear skies! Here, you can also see the Clérigos Church.
On the other side of the river, you can discover the many Port cellars for a Port wine tasting.
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
FAQ
How many churches are there in Porto?
There are around 30 churches in Porto, and you can discover many during a city trip. Some of the most beautiful and well-known Porto churches are the Sé Cathedral, the Church of Saint Francis, Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina, Igreja do Carmo, and Igreja Paroquial de Santo Ildefonso.
What is the church in Porto with gold?
The church of São Francisco in Porto city centre is covered in gold. In addition to the church, a small museum and the catacombs are also nearby.
Is visiting the São Francisco Church worth it?
If you like religious art and Gothic architecture, the answer is yes! Igreja de São Francisco Porto is one of the most beautiful in Porto, and its interior is decorated with gold, woodwork, and religious art.
Why you shouldn’t miss São Francisco Church
If you’re in Porto, São Francisco Church is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary, especially if you enjoy history or unique architecture.
What makes it stand out isn’t just the gold-covered interior, but the contrast between its ornate design and the darker atmosphere of the catacombs below. It’s one of those places that feels completely different from anything else you’ll see in the city.
It’s also a great option for a rainy day, since you can easily spend time exploring both the church and the underground areas.
Plan for about an hour to an hour and a half to fully take it in, and don’t forget your camera, because this is easily one of the most photogenic spots in Porto.
Other Porto must-see attractions:
- 25 best sights in Porto for your itinerary
- Discover the beautiful Palácio da Bolsa
- Best Porto boat tours, including the 6 Bridges Cruise
- Miradouros Porto: 8x fantastic viewpoints with the best panoramic views
- Livraria Lello bookstore, the most beautiful bookstore in the world!
- Clérigos Tower tickets, opening times and things to see
- The must-see Porto Cathedral and the beautiful Bishop’s Palace
- 20 ideas for what to do in Porto when it rains
- Discover the beautiful golden São Francisco Church
- Book an amazing Port Wine tasting in Porto
- Visit the Wine Experience Museum at the WOW District
- Love rosé wine? Visit the Pink Palace at WOW!
- Beautiful contemporary art at the Serralves Museum
Pin to read later!
