01
The High Altar
10 mins
This Mannerist main chapel features an 18th-century gilded altarpiece. Nicolau Nasoni designed the detailed woodwork. You will notice a sharp contrast between the simple, robust stone walls and the heavy gold ornamentation.
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The Main Church (Nave)
The main church is the core religious space of Porto Cathedral. It mixes original 12th-century Romanesque stone with later Baroque additions.
Admission to the main nave is free. You enter directly from the outdoor terrace into a space marked by austere walls and tall ceilings.
Remember to dress modestly and remove hats when entering. Mass takes place daily at 11:00 AM, so maintain silence in prayer areas.
02
Chapel of the Holy Sacrament
5 mins
This chapel holds a large silver altarpiece crafted by local silversmiths. Look closely at the intricate details carved into the metal. Locals supposedly hid this silver behind a plaster wall in the 19th century to protect it from French troops.
03
The Romanesque Rose Window
5 mins
A 12th-century circular stained-glass window sits above the main entrance. It is one of the oldest parts of the building. For the best lighting, view it from the inside when the afternoon sun shines through the colored glass.
