Facade of the Carmo Church: one of the most coveted by tourists

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Facade of the Carmo Church: one of the most coveted by tourists

The tiles that make visitors stop in the city

Igreja da Venerável Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Photo © Rui Meireles

There are facades that you look at and others that make you stop; they serve as a backdrop for photographs taken by tourists in Porto - the Church da Venerável Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is one of the most popular. The city passes by, but here the footsteps slow down in search of the best angle to photograph.

The side of the church, covered in blue and white tiles painted by Carlos Branco in 1912 from drawings by Silvestre Silvestri, is the setting chosen by our visitors. "In Porto, we see a lot of blue tiles, it's very beautiful. In the USA, we don't see anything like that," says Samantha, from New Jersey. Her aunt, Diane, adds: "This was a dream trip. I'm loving being here with my niece. It's a very beautiful city."

Samantha, New Jersey (EUA). Photo © Rui Meireles

Built in 1756, the Igreja do Carmo stands right next to the Igreja dos Carmelitas Descalços, which became a National Monument in 2023. Between the two baroque churches is a slender building, just one metre wide on the facade, which was born to comply with the old rule that prevented different temples from sharing walls. Today it is known as the narrowest house in the city.

But it's the tiled facade that drives passers-by to take pictures. Kris, travelling from England, admires the tiles and takes a shot: ‘Wow, it's beautiful and makes good wallpaper.’ - He smiles and captures the moment with his mobile phone. In this corner between Rua do Carmo, Rua Carlos Alberto and Praça Gomes Teixeira, Porto reveals itself - a crossroads between art, history and fascination.

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