You will have no trouble finding a beautiful church in the Algarve, with some authentic pieces of art.
In 1266, work began on the construction of the Cathedral of Silves, on the site of an old mosque. The cathedral is built in Gothic style and the high altar was rebuilt in Manueline style after the earthquake of 1755.
Faro Cathedral was built in 1577, as a result of the transfer of the Bishop of Silves to Faro. In the past, a Roman temple and a Muslim mosque stood on the site where the cathedral was built. Demolished by the privateers of the Earl of Essex in 1596, the church has been restored with a new high altar with a Mannerist altarpiece, decorated with 17th-century sculptures, a fine example of religious art.
Next to it, the Episcopal Palace (17th century) is a building that represents the chã (plain) style of Algarve architecture. It is decorated with a magnificent and very colorful set of tiles in the Baroque and Rococo style.
There are 21 churches in Tavira; among them is the Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria do Castelo (13th century), which has three altarpieces in different styles and which replaced the mosque.
Close to Armação de Pera you can find the Capela dos Ossos, in Largo do Ossário, Alcantarilha, 3.9 km away, 7 minutes by car.
