Capela de Nossa Senhora do Carmo

Gazing upon this magnificent façade, can you believe the Capela de Nossa Senhora do Carmo isn’t what it seems? The Capela de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is actually two churches, cleverly disguised as one. Igreja dos Carmelitas and Igreja do Carmo stand side-by-side, separated by the world’s thinnest house. This sliver of a building, barely a meter wide, has fueled countless rumors. One popular story suggests it was built to prevent communication between the monks and nuns of the adjoining churches. Igreja dos Carmelitas, the older of the two, dates back to the 17th century. It boasts a classic façade and a bell tower, originally part of a Carmelite convent. Igreja do Carmo, built in the 18th century, showcases a neoclassical style. Look closely, and you’ll see the figure of Saint Anne, known as Nossa Senhora, who appeared to the Carmelites. The renowned architect Nicolau Nasoni, responsible for many of Porto’s religious structures, designed Igreja do Carmo. Now, feast your eyes on the breathtaking azulejo mosaic on the side of the Capela de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Added in 1912, this masterpiece depicts the founding of the Carmelite Order. The scene, designed by Silvestro Silvestri and painted by Carlos Branco, was crafted in Vila Nova de Gaia. These stunning blue and white tiles are a quintessential Portuguese art form. Step inside either church, and you’ll be transported to a world of rococo and baroque splendor. Gilded woodcarvings and ornate decorations abound. The older church, with its single nave, contains seven altars by Francisco Pereira Campanhã. The Capela de Nossa Senhora do Carmo isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a testament to the rich history and artistic traditions of Porto.