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 Faro History
Faro is the administrative centre for the whole of the
Algarve region with a population in excess of 40.000 thousand
people. The city has both Arab and Roman ruins but
most of the present attractive older buildings were constructed
after the disastrous earthquake of 1755 and the earlier one of
1532. The Moors who occupied the place in the 8th century
originally gave to it the name of Ossónoba and developed
it into a trading port until 1249 when they were defeated by the
forces of Dom Afonso III. With the decline of the
importance of the City of Silves this town took over the
role of administration of the Algarve area. The Earl of Essex
sacked this town in 1596 with his fellow crusaders on their
journey to the Holy Land and the rich collection of books
taken from the palace of the Bishop of Faro became part
of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, England. Another
interesting item is that during the 500 years of Moorish
occupation there were some Jewish inhabitants in Faro
who were busily printing copies of the Old Testament.
Faro Description
Particularly attractive is the old part of the City surrounded
still by the Roman walls. Inside a spacious open square that once
was the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th century Cathedral that
faces the 18th century Episcopal palace. An interesting building
is the neighbouring 16th century Convent that is now turned into
the home of the city’s archaeological museum. Within it is a
section devoted to the Arab occupation. The “golden” church of
Nossa Senhora do Carmo is claimed to be the best example
of gold-leaf woodwork in southern Portugal. It is also contains
the macabre spectacle of a chapel lined with the bones from over
1.200 monks! Next to the small boat basin bordering the Praça
de Dom Francisco Gomes is a Naval Museum composed of scale
model boats and galleons showing the maritime history of the coast.
Much of the city is now composed of apartments and there are many
attractive shops and a particularly artistic theatre. Faro
is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature
reserve of over 17.000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds
of different birds during the spring and autumn migratory periods.
The beach is almost 7 kms distant from the City and is a long
sandy spit reached by crossing a bridge not far from the
International Airport of Faro. The municipal council has an active
cultural department organising different and various events during
the year.
Faro Nearby Locations
Near to Faro is the small town of Almancil that
nearby can be found the church of São Lourenço de Matos
renown for its 18th century blue tiles. At the inland village of
Estói there are some notable Roman ruins of Milreu
depicting a home that enjoyed more comforts than some of the newly
built villas in today’s world. The well-known developments of
Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo, both five star
holiday areas are located west of Faro. Together they
provide 6 top quality golf courses, tennis centres, riding schools,
hotels, holiday resorts and villas.
Faro Events
March - Traditional Burial Procession
June - Feira de Arte e Artenasanato (Art & Handicrafts)
July - Concentração Internacional de Motos (Motorbikes)
October - Feira de Santa Iria
 Useful Faro Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 289 822 942 / 289 804 991
Fire Brigade - 289 802 902 / 289 822 122 / 289 803 630
Police - 289 822 022
Transit Police - 289 803 700
Hospital - 289 803 411
Emergency Treatment - 289 823 680
Ambulance - 289 822 122
Tourist Office - 289 803 604
Useful Faro Facts
Distance from Faro Airport - 6 Kms
Town Holidays - 24th June
Postal Code - 8000
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António |
