Attraction
Clérigos Church and Tower
Nicolau Nasoni's 18th-century Baroque church and 75.6-metre tower, with 240 steps to a 360-degree view over Porto's rooftops and the Douro.
Church of São Francisco
Porto's most important Gothic church, completed around 1425, whose interior is almost entirely covered in 17th and 18th-century gilded Baroque woodwork.
At a glance
- Type
- Gothic church with Baroque gilt interior
- Area
- Ribeira, Porto, Portugal
Good to know
- Catacombs
- Tree of Jesse altarpiece
- Paid entry
Why we recommend it
From the outside the Church of São Francisco looks like a sober Gothic building of grey granite, which makes the interior all the more startling. Franciscan friars arrived in Porto around 1223, and the present church was begun in 1383 under King Ferdinand I and finished around 1425. It is regarded as the city's most important Gothic church.
Inside, almost every surface of the walls, pillars, chapels and ceilings is covered with gilded carved wood, or talha dourada, applied mainly in the first half of the 18th century. The effect led Count Raczynski to nickname it the Church of Gold. The highlight is the Tree of Jesse on the north aisle, a polychrome altarpiece carved by Filipe da Silva and António Gomes under a contract of 1718, showing the genealogy of Christ with the twelve kings of Judah rising from the sleeping figure of Jesse. Look also for the chapel of São João Baptista, built around 1534 in the Manueline style.
The visit also includes the catacombs, once used as a burial ground, and a small collection of religious art. The church has been a national monument since 1910 and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre. Because it is visited as a monument rather than used for regular worship, there is an entry charge.
Opening hours vary through the year, with longer evenings in the warmer months, so check before planning a late visit. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, and buy your ticket at the desk beside the entrance. Photography rules have changed over time, so ask at the ticket desk. The interior is fairly dark, which suits the gold but means it is worth letting your eyes adjust before moving on.
The church stands just above the Ribeira, beside the Palácio da Bolsa, which was built on the site of its former cloisters after a fire in 1832. Combining the two works well, as they share a square and show two contrasting faces of Porto's wealth, one religious and Baroque, the other mercantile and 19th-century. The Ribeira quayside and the lower deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge are a short walk away.
Church of São Francisco FAQs
Why is it called the Church of Gold?
Its interior is covered in gilded carved woodwork, mostly from the first half of the 18th century.
When was the church built?
Construction began in 1383 under King Ferdinand I and was completed around 1425.
What is the Tree of Jesse?
A polychrome carved altarpiece of 1718 by Filipe da Silva and António Gomes showing the genealogy of Christ.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, it is visited as a monument and entry is charged.
Are the catacombs included?
Yes, the catacombs are part of the visit.
Do the opening hours change?
Yes, hours are longer in the warmer months than in winter, so check before you go.
How long should I allow?
45 minutes to an hour.
What is next door?
The Palácio da Bolsa, built on the site of the church's former cloisters.