Faro Archaeological Museum

Faro Museu Municipal / Convento Senhora da Assunção
Faro Museu Municipal
Nol Aders CC BY-SA

Museu Arqueologico de Faro

Also known as the Museu Municipal, this was founded as an archaeological museum in 1894 and is well worth a visit if you are in Faro.  It occupies the site of the 16th century convent of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Our Lady of the Assumption) whose peaceful, cloistered gardens alone make the visit worthwhile.

Most of the exhibits here are of Roman artefacts, but there are also collections from pre-historic, Moorish and medieval periods, including a gallery of religious artworks and some 20th century paintings by local artist Carlos Porfirio, whose works depict scenes from local legends.

For most visitors a highlight of any visit is likely to be the outstanding mosaic of sea-god Oceanus, which was excavated from a site close to the city’s railway station in 1976. There are also busts of Emperor Hadrian and Agrippina.

In a prominent position at the entrance to the museum is a statue of Afonso III, who was king of Portugal in 13th century.  Also outside the museum is a statue of Constantino Cumano an Italian-born doctor and political activist who lived for some time in Faro and specialised in the treatment of syphilis, a disease which was rampant throughout Europe in the 19th century.

Address

Praça Dom Afonso III 14
Faro
8000-149

Phone

+351 289 870 827

Attraction type

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Faro travel guide »

Surrounded by fertile fields of trees bearing fruit, olives and the almonds for which the Algarve is famous, Faro is a large town of over 50,000 inhabitants, the administrative capital of the province, lies at the heart of the Formosa Estuary. Under Moorish rule the port of Faro was of great importance but more recently it is the airport which serves as the entry point for millions of…