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Old Town - Faro

Arco da Vila

The Old Town of Faro is small, quiet and wonderfully atmospheric. Faro was the last Muslim town in Portugal which fell in the Christian hands. The Muslims ruled this city for nearly 500 years and it was called Uhsunubia by the Arabs. In 1249, Afonso III took this city from the Muslims. Arco da Vila is situated on Rua da Misericórdia and this arch is one of the Old Town’s entrances. This arch was Commissioned by the Algarve’s Bishop, D. Francisco Gomes do Avelar and it was inaugurated in 1812. From Arco da Vila, the Old Town stretches out in front of its visitors when coming to visit the city.

Area in front of the Arco da Vila - Old Town Faro
Area in front of the Arco da Vila - Old Town Faro
Jardim Manuel Bivaris is directly opposite side of the Town Arch
Jardim Manuel Bivaris is directly opposite side of the Town Arch
Exterior of the Arco da Vila
Exterior of the Arco da Vila
The arch which stands today, comes from the early 19th century
The arch which stands today, comes from the early 19th century
A sign on one of the internal walls of the arch refers to the construction of this structure
Another arch is built inside the walls of the Arco da Vila but it was covered with a plastic sheet
Ceiling of the Arco da Vila - Faro Old Town
Ceiling of the Arco da Vila - Faro Old Town
Gardens of Jardim Manuel Bivaris are seen here through the Town Arch
Gardens of Jardim Manuel Bivaris are seen here through the Town Arch
From this arch, starts the Rua do Municipio into the Old Town
Arco da Vila (Town Arch) seen from the side of Old Town
Arco da Vila (Town Arch) seen from the side of Old Town

Largo da Se (the Cathedral Square) is the orange tree-lined square that is home to the nineteenth-century Town Hall. It also has an 18th century Bishop’s Palace and the famous Faro Cathedral. Just behind this square, lies the Ria Formosa Natural Park with its turquoise lagoon. Walking in the square and area around it, gives a real feel of this old part of Faro. However, many centuries have passed since the departure of the Muslims from Faro but the old town still holds a special link to it.

A narrow street leading into the Old Town of Faro
A narrow street leading into the Old Town of Faro
The Cathedral Square (Largo da Se)
The Cathedral Square (Largo da Se)
A peaceful Square of the Cathedral where a statue of Bishop Francisco Gomes stands
A peaceful Square of the Cathedral where a statue of Bishop Francisco Gomes stands
Behind these houses to the right, lies the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Behind these houses to the right, lies the Ria Formosa Natural Park
An aeroplane flies above the Old Town of Faro
An open window of a restaurant or a cafe with its curtain dancing in the wind
A beautiful street of Faro's Old Town
A beautiful street of Faro's Old Town
A tourist city train in the King Afonso III Square
A statue of Afonso III in the square - Faro Old Town
A statue of Afonso III in the square - Faro Old Town
This photo is created by using the colourful azulejo tiles on a wall
A very quiet street in the Old Town
A very quiet street in the Old Town

Arco de Repouso

Arco de Repouso (Gate of Rest) sits at the start of Rua do Repouso. It is said that Afonso III, after taking Faro from the Moors, put his feet up, rested and heard Mass nearby. During the Muslim times, this arch was one of the city gates to the castle. The construction of this arch dates back to the Almohad Dynasty. In the 13th, this entry was reinforced by Arab albarra with two towers with two side entrances, in order to facilitate the defense of the city and make it difficult the enemy access. 
A plaque on one of the walls of the arch refers to 700 years had passed since the town was taken from the Muslims. Beside this city gate, In the 18th century, a chapel was built to house the statue of Our Lady of Rest.

At the Rua do Repouso lies another city gate known as Arco de Repouso (Gate of Rest)
At the Rua do Repouso lies another city gate known as Arco de Repouso (Gate of Rest)
Afonso III rested here after taking the city from the Muslims
Afonso III rested here after taking the city from the Muslims
One of the arches of Arco de Repouso - Faro Old Town
The Almohad Dynasty build this gate as part of the city defensive system
The Almohad Dynasty build this gate as part of the city defensive system
Two openings of Arco de Repouso can be seen in this photo
A celebratory plaque mentions the 700 years since the fall of the town
A celebratory plaque mentions the 700 years since the fall of the town
Sky seen through the square made by the defensive walls of the arch
Sky seen through the square made by the defensive walls of the arch
A closer look at the material used in the construction of the arch
A closer look at the material used in the construction of the arch
A sign on one of the internal walls of the arch shows a brief history of the structure
A sign on one of the internal walls of the arch shows a brief history of the structure
Chapel of Our Lady of Rest
Chapel of Our Lady of Rest

City Walls

On Largo de São Francisco lies the old city wall of Faro and it is believed that some of the towers date back to the Byzantine period. To the outer side of the city walls is Mouraria, this is where Muslims (Moors) settled after the Christian reconquest. In 1596, Faro suffered an attack from the English forces and much of the city’s defense were destroyed. The city was plundered and set on fire and it caused a massive damage to the historical sites of the town.
A monument next to the city walls stands to commemorate the fallen soldiers in the Wars of Portuguese Mozambique and Angola.

Here, Afonso III is shown in 1269 granting a charter to the Muslim population
Here, Afonso III is shown in 1269 granting a charter to the Muslim population
A closer look at the event depicted on tiles beside the city walls of Old Town of Faro
A closer look at the event depicted on tiles beside the city walls of Old Town of Faro
This could be the charter provided to the Muslims by Afonso III, I was unable to confirm this
This could be the charter provided to the Muslims by Afonso III, I was unable to confirm this
City walls of old town in Faro
City walls of old town in Faro
Some of the towers date back to the Byzantine period
Walking along the outer perimeter of the walls
Walking along the outer perimeter of the walls
Open-air workout area beside the city walls - Old Town Faro
Open-air workout area beside the city walls - Old Town Faro
In the 16th century, the city walls were destroyed by an English fleet
An old car parked with the Faro's city walls in the background
An old car parked with the Faro's city walls in the background
A tribute to the fallen soldiers in the Wars of Portuguese Mozambique and Angola

 In the 19th century, the Castle of Faro was leased to a company that converted it in a alcohol factory. Faro is still a sleepy town in the day but it comes to life at night. It is popular destination for the sun-seekers and hence the Portuguese government is trying to make it more attractive city. 
Arco da Porta Nova was create din the city walls, close to the Cathedral Square. It is also called the Portas do Mar (Doors of the Sea) or Cais das Portas do Sol.

There are very little remains of the Faro Castle today
There are very little remains of the Faro Castle today
Here city walls are punctured to build a road called Rue do Castelo ( Castle Road)
Here city walls are punctured to build a road called Rue do Castelo ( Castle Road)
Train tracks next to the city walls and the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Train tracks next to the city walls and the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Parts of the city walls are in neglected state
To make matter even worse, graffiti is covering the walls here - Old Town Faro
To make matter even worse, graffiti is covering the walls here - Old Town Faro
This section of the wall is in better condition
This section of the wall is in better condition
A walkway beside the Ria Formosa Natural Park
A walkway beside the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Arco da Porta Nova of the old town, it is also called the Portas do Mar (Doors of the Sea)
Rua da Porta Nov leads to the Faro Cathedral in Largo da Se
Faro City Walls seen from the the Ria Formosa with the remains of the castle (now factory) rising above it
Faro City Walls seen from the the Ria Formosa with the remains of the castle (now factory) rising above it