Chapel of Souls

The Chapel of Santa Catarina, aka, the Chapel of Souls, with full Portuguese name- Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina, is located at Catarina Avenue or Catarina downtown shopping center, Porto. The church or the chapel is famous for its blue azulejo tiles on exterior side walls. Most tourists, especially female tourists, like to take photos in front of this side wall. Naturally, it is NOT a surprise when taking photos many strangers become your photo models too, especially the side wall is facing busy traffic avenue. The chapel started construction at the middle or end of the 18th century and completed its construction in 1901 when it also went through a few restorations and expansion. The chapel is open for the services in early AM and late afternoon, when the chapel door is open to the public access free. The chapel’s exterior walls or facades consists of 15,947 azulejo tiles that cover about 360 square meters of wall. Based on the official Porto Tour Board’s explanation, these tiles were designed by Eduardo Leite and were made by the Fábrica de Cerâmica Viúva Lamego, in Lisbon. They represent the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine, notably his death and her martyrdom. Because, nearby, there are indoor shopping center, ViaCatarina [which has large food courts], and outdoor Pedestrian-only Catarina Shopping Districts. the Chapel of Santa Catarine is a popular site for the young and old, couples or families or lovers.

Beautiful church inside and out!! With it having over 1500 tile pieces!! It is free to see the inside!! Plus there is a little shop inside in case y’all want to take some souvenirs!!