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Main Church
Built at the end of the 18th century, the church possesses an imposing bell tower. The interior consists of a single nave. On the high altar there is a valuable statue of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of Conception), and an altarpiece painted by the Algarvian artist Samora Barros.
The side altars and the sacristy contain statures from the 18th and 19th centuries. There is a stature of Nossa Senhora da Orada (Our Lady of Supplication) possibly dating from the 15th century which the local fishermen carry in their annual procession (the hermitage) dedicated to her.

Church of São Sebastião
This structure dates from the beginning of the 18th century and it is built in the traditional manner. Its main doorway bears baroque ornamentation and it has a side doorway in the Manueline style (16th Century). Its decorated cupola and the ratable of the high altar have coloured carvings and statues from the 17th and 18th centuries. There is a statue of Nossa Senora da Piedade (Our Lady of Piety), 16th century, which unfortunately has been damaged.

Church of Sant'Ana
The Architectural features of the church, which has a cupola, surrounded by pinnacles, are popular in origin, 18th century. The high altar and pulpit are carved in the "rocaille" style around 18th century.

Hermitage of Nossa Senhora ad Road (Our lady of Supplication)
A typical rural hermitage, built in a once deserted valley. Much frequented by fishermen, it contains "ex-votos" depicting miracles. In the churchyard, two graves belonging to victims of the constitutional struggles of the 19 th century are to be found.

Mercy (Misericórdia) Chapel
This Chapel stands on the site of a former Moorish mosque; the building was restored in 1499 as a chapel. It was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755; it nevertheless retains some of its earlier gothic 15th century features such as the doorway, the triumphal arch and the apse. It has a carved retable on the high altar with statues from the 17th and 18th centuries. Also nearby is the gothic doorway of the old hostelry.

Clock Tower
Located in what was one the county jail it has a curious decorative structure in wrought iron to support the bell. Castle walls, the defensive walls that once ringed Albufeira, have been almost totally destroyed by time and the earthquake of 1755, and all that remain are the ruins of the tower, Porta de Sant'Ana (St. Anne's Gate) and a defensive tower belonging to the North Gate that has been turned into a restaurant.

Coastal Walk
This is a footpath along the edge of the sea, which offers magnificent views of

the city, the beaches and the rock formations, which are part of the charm of Albufeira. It leads to the pretty cave at Xorino, where according to local tradition the Moors took refuge when the town was re-conquered by the Christians in the 13th Century.

 

 

 

 
 
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  VILA SÃO VICENTE - Largo Jacinto d'Ayet - 8200 - 071 Albufeira - Algarve – Portugal - E-mail: info@sao-vicente-hotel.com
VILA CHANNA - São Rafael - 8200 - 470 H Albufeira - Algarve – Portugal - E-mail: info@vila-channa-hotel.com

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