Igreja dos Carmelitas (Church of the Carmelites), Porto

The Church of the Carmelites, also known as the Church of the Discalced Carmelites, is located in the parish of Vitória in Porto. Built between 1616 and 1628, with its interior decoration completed in 1650, this historic church was classified as a National Monument in 2013, alongside the nearby Church of Carmo. These two churches are famously separated by the narrow Hidden House in Porto (Casa Escondida do Porto), just over one meter wide.

Initially part of a convent authorized by King Philip II of Portugal, the church belonged to the now-defunct convent, which currently houses the National Republican Guard. The Carmelites began construction in 1616 and settled there in 1622. Significant works included the main altarpiece and the tabernacle, installed between 1632 and 1633.

The granite façade of the Church of the Carmelites is adorned with three entrances featuring round arches, topped by niches containing statues of Saint Joseph, Saint Teresa of Jesus, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The upper section of the façade showcases three large windows, with a central rectangular window flanked by two trapezoidal ones. A triangular pediment with balusters crowns the structure. A distinctive feature of the church is its bell tower on the left side, decorated with monochromatic blue tiles and capped by a bulb-shaped dome.

Inside, the church follows a Latin cross plan with a single nave and a narthex at the entrance. It features six side chapels adorned with ornate gilded carvings in Baroque and Rococo styles, particularly prominent on the main altar. The main altarpiece was designed by Joaquim Teixeira de Guimarães and executed by José Teixeira Guimarães. The interior is well-lit by large windows and has a bright ceiling, enhancing the richly gilded Baroque and Rococo decorations. One unique element is the recently restored organ, notable for its horizontal horns protruding from the pipe area.

The church has had a varied history, serving as troop barracks during the Napoleonic occupation from 1808 to 1814, highlighting its significance not just as a religious site but also as a part of Porto's historical landscape.