To visit the Chapel of Bones, we need to enter the monumental Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo, a majestic baroque building commissioned by King João V in 1713 and completed in 1719.
This church survived the terrible earthquake of 1755 that brutally destroyed the city of Faro. Although the façade with its two towers has been altered, and chapels have been added to the sides.
The Chapel of Bones was added to the church in 1816 to house more than a thousand skeletons of monks. It may seem morbid or unusual, but there are more in Portugal and Europe. It was common practice when cemeteries became full for skeletons to be exhumed and transferred to these churches, especially those of religious men.
The Chapel of Bones is located at the rear of the church. To get there, you have to enter and walk through the entire church, a sacristy, and a small outdoor courtyard. Before we get there, let's admire this monumental Baroque work that is over three centuries old.
Architecture characterized by a longitudinal single-nave plan interrupted by side chapels.
This reign financed the interior decoration in gilded woodwork with gold from Brazil.
Right at the entrance to the church, the first part of this tile reads: "This church is the heritage of the Venerable Third Order of Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo de Faro.
Its first stone was laid on February 22, 1713."
A little further on, another important historical fact that enhances this religious space: “It was in this church that the Faro revolt against French rule began on June 19, 1808, and it was in the Order's halls that the supreme regency council of the Kingdom of the Algarve was elected.”
On the way to the Chapel of Bones, we pass through the sacristy with images of Christ dating from 1731.
A small garden in front of the chapel entrance. It borders the church and the chapel. Before the chapel was built, it was a cemetery.
Behind this wall, next to the church, there is a nursery school for children up to 5 years old.
The chapel has an endless number of bones. There are more than 1,200 skulls alone covering the walls and ceiling of the chapel.
On the door of a side facade, hidden from tourists, this phrase is engraved in stone. Quite meaningful, don't you think?
The presence of death surrounds us, but that does not deter many tourists from visiting. The movement is constant.
A fine example of Baroque architecture, with a symmetrical façade in the style of King João V.
📍 LOCATION:
Largo do Carmo, Faro - Portugal
[About a 5-minute walk from the marina]
37.019953, -7.934346
💰 PRICE:
2 Euros
⏰ OPENING HOURS:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
❌ Sunday: open only for religious ceremonies. Closed to tourists.
