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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 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 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 small 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.
The municipal council has an active cultural department organizing
various events during the year.
Faro - Nearby Locations
Near to Faro is the smaller town of Almancil and nearby
can be found the church of São Lourenço de Matos renowned 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 10 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
Faro Map
Town Map
· São Brás de Alportel Map
Faro Distances
Distances between each Tourist Town in Kms (Click Here)
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 Useful Faro Telephone Numbers & Internet Access
Town Hall - 289 822 942 / 804 991
Fire Brigade - 289 802 902 / 822 122 / 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
Distance from Lisbon - 297 Kms
Distance from Porto - 609 Kms
Town Holidays - 24th June
Postal Code - 8000
Faro Beaches
Praia da Barreta
Praia do Farol-Mar
Praia da Ilha de Faro
Faro Accommodation
Hotels
· Inns
· Pousadas
Faro Golf Courses
www.algarvegolf.net
Faro Property
Estate Agents
Faro Restaurants
Selected List in Faro Area
Faro Vehicle Hire
Rent a Car
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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