Igreja da Venerável Ordem Terceira de São Francisco, Neoclassical church in São Nicolau, Porto, Portugal
The Igreja da Venerável Ordem Terceira de São Francisco is a neoclassical church in Porto with a symmetrical facade and two bell towers displaying balanced architectural elements. The interior includes a chapel, a display area for religious objects and artworks, and an underground chamber located beneath the church floor.
Construction began in 1792 under Italian architect Luigi Chiari and introduced a new classical architectural style to Porto. The underground chamber served as a burial place for Franciscan brotherhood members until a health law prohibited such burials in 1845.
The church serves the Franciscan community and displays religious artworks reflecting Porto's Catholic faith. You can see how the spaces are arranged for prayer and community gatherings.
The building sits between Igreja de São Francisco and Casa do Despacho in central Porto and is easy to reach on foot. Guided tours provide access to the interior and underground chamber so you can see the architectural details and religious artworks inside.
The underground chamber contains graves of Franciscans from multiple generations and shows how the community honored their deceased members. Seeing these ancient burial sites offers a rare look into burial practices of a religious order before the 1800s.
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