"Capital of the Algarve" a Faro Travel Page by Gerrem

Faro is the administrative centre of the Algarve region with a population exceeding 40.000 people. The city has both Roman and Arab ruins, but most of the attractive older buildings have been built after the catastrophic earthquake of 1755. During the 500 years of Moorish occupation the city, then named Ossónoba became an important trading port. With the decline of the former capital Silves, Faro took over the role of the administration for the whole Algarve...

The old part of Faro, still surrounded by Roman walls, is attracting tourists from all over the area. You can still see the open square that once used to be the Roman Forum. Interesting buildings are the 13th Century Cathedral, the Episcopal palace and the 16th Century Convent, now turned into an archaeological museum.

The church of Nosso Senhora do Carmo is an excellent example of gold-leaf woodwork and contains a chapel lined with the bones of more then 1.200 monks.

Unfortunately we had not enough time in Faro. We will come back!