Igreja dos Carmelitas Descalços, 17th-century Catholic church in Vitória, Portugal.
Igreja dos Carmelitas Descalços is a church building in Porto with a granite facade featuring three arched entrances decorated with religious statues and topped by a bell tower adorned with blue tiles. The church sits immediately beside Igreja do Carmo, separated only by a very narrow structure.
Construction of the church began in 1616 and was completed in 1628, with interior decorations finished in 1650 under the direction of architect Nicolau Nasoni. His work established the ornamental character that defines the interior today.
The church displays rich interior ornamentation with six side chapels adorned with gilded woodwork in Baroque and Rococo styles that visitors can see when walking through the space.
The church stands adjacent to Igreja do Carmo with only Casa Escondida between them, a very narrow building now operating as a museum that makes the setting distinctive. Visitors should be prepared for the tight urban context and allow time to examine the detailed interior features.
The building originally housed a male convent for the Order of Discalced Carmelites, serving as their spiritual center for generations. Today it serves as headquarters for the Portuguese Republican National Guard, representing a complete shift in purpose from its religious origins.
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