Igreja de Santo António in Lagos

Igreja de Santo António (Church of Saint Anthony) is one of the main monuments of Lagos, in Portugal's Faro District. It is classified as a National Monument and is best known for its interior, where gilded carving dominates. The Municipal Museum of Lagos is attached to the church building, so a visit to the church pairs naturally with the museum collections.

Who built the church, and when?

The church was commissioned by the military and completed in 1707. From the start it was tied to the town's garrison rather than only to a religious order or parish. The original building did not survive the earthquake of 1755, which destroyed it.

How was it rebuilt after the earthquake?

The church was rebuilt in 1769 by order of Hugo Beaty, commander of the Lagos Infantry Regiment. He was Irish by birth and also administrator of the Confraternity of Saint Anthony. It was in that year that the eight paintings depicting the miracles of Saint Anthony were produced. During the same century, the eighteenth, the tiles (azulejos), the vault paintings and the gilded carving were also installed, giving the interior the character visitors see today.

What is worth seeing inside?

• The gilded carving, for which the church is best known.
• Eight paintings of the miracles of Saint Anthony, dating from the rebuilding.
• Azulejo tiles and vault paintings from the eighteenth century.
• The Municipal Museum, housed in the building next to the church. It was set up in 1932 in the former South Sacristy.

What else is known about its history?

According to popular tradition, the church held a rich collection of silver and sacred art, which was looted during the French occupation in the early nineteenth century. In 1823 the clock tower was built, using stone salvaged from the ruins of the Church of Santa Maria. The church was elevated to National Monument status in 1924.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Igreja de Santo António? In Lagos, Faro District, Portugal, at roughly 37.0996 N, 8.6714 W.

Is the church a National Monument? Yes, it was given that status in 1924 and counts among the city's main monuments.

What makes the interior stand out? Rich gilded carving, along with eighteenth-century azulejos and vault paintings.

Can you visit a museum next to the church? Yes. The Municipal Museum of Lagos is attached to the building and has been housed in the former South Sacristy since 1932.

When was the church rebuilt? In 1769, after the 1755 earthquake destroyed it.

In short

Igreja de Santo António brings together military history, the local confraternity's tradition and eighteenth-century sacred art in one place. For visitors to Lagos it is a worthwhile stop if you are interested in Portuguese interior decoration and in how the town recovered after the 1755 earthquake. Plan your visit to leave time for the adjoining museum, whose collections add to the picture of Lagos's past.