Cities
Portugal Porto Norte Church

Chapel of Souls

About

The Chapel of Souls is one of Porto’s most distinctive and photographed landmarks, known for its dazzling façade covered in blue‑and‑white azulejos. Located on the bustling Rua de Santa Catarina, the chapel dates back to the 18th century, but its iconic tilework was added in the early 20th century, transforming the building into a true urban masterpiece. The panels depict scenes from the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine, creating a vivid narrative that stands out against the surrounding shops and cafés. Inside, the chapel offers a quieter, more traditional atmosphere, with warm wooden altars and soft lighting that contrast beautifully with the vibrant exterior. Over time, the Chapel of Souls has become a symbol of Porto’s artistic identity, attracting visitors who pause to admire its craftsmanship and capture its striking beauty. It remains a perfect example of how sacred art enriches the everyday rhythm of the city.

Porto Portugal
Chapel of Souls
Location

Chapel of Souls, known as Capela das Almas, is located on Rua de Santa Catarina at its intersection with Rua Fernandes Tomás, one of Porto's busiest pedestrian shopping streets in the Santo Ildefonso parish. This 18th-century chapel captivates with over 15,000-20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles covering its facade, depicting scenes from the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine, added in 1929 by artist Eduardo Leite. It sits near Mercado do Bolhão market and Bolhão Metro Station for easy access, Capela das Almas church renowned for ceramics just across the street, São Bento Railway Station famed for azulejo interiors, vibrant Rua de Santa Catarina lined with shops and cafés, and short strolls to Clérigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados, or Porto Cathedral in the historic center.

Soares dos Reis National Museum Soares dos Reis National Museum Museum Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art Museum Port Wine Museum Port Wine Museum Museum FC Porto Museum FC Porto Museum Museum Museum of Transport and Communication Museum of Transport and Communication Museum Casa do Infante Casa do Infante Museum Porto Tram Museum Porto Tram Museum Museum 3D Fun Art Museum Porto 3D Fun Art Museum Porto Museum Wondersense Museum Wondersense Museum Museum MMIPO - Museu da Misericórdia do Porto MMIPO - Museu da Misericórdia do Porto Museum Military Museum Porto Military Museum Porto Museum Galeria da Biodiversidade Galeria da Biodiversidade Museum Museu Romântico Museu Romântico Museum Gardens of Casa Tait Gardens of Casa Tait Museum Palácio das Artes Palácio das Artes Museum Palácio da Bolsa Palácio da Bolsa Palace São João National Theatre São João National Theatre Theatre Teatro Sá da Bandeira Teatro Sá da Bandeira Theatre Municipal Theater Rivoli Municipal Theater Rivoli Theatre Teatro Carlos Alberto Teatro Carlos Alberto Theatre Campo Alegre Theatre Campo Alegre Theatre Theatre Teatro Helena Sá e Costa Teatro Helena Sá e Costa Theatre Ageas Porto Coliseum Ageas Porto Coliseum Theatre Teatro Experimental do Porto Teatro Experimental do Porto Theatre Castelo do Queijo Castelo do Queijo Fortress St. John the Baptist of Foz Fort St. John the Baptist of Foz Fort Fortress Muralhas Fernandinas do Porto Muralhas Fernandinas do Porto Castle Muralha Primitiva do Porto Muralha Primitiva do Porto Historical Landmark Palácio dos Viscondes de Pereira Machado Palácio dos Viscondes de Pereira Machado Castle Episcopal Palace of Porto Episcopal Palace of Porto Historical Landmark Tower of Pedro-Sem Tower of Pedro-Sem Historical Landmark Palace of São João Novo Palace of São João Novo Historical Landmark Porto Cathedral Porto Cathedral Cathedral Clérigos Church Clérigos Church Church Church of Saint Francis Church of Saint Francis Church Church of Saint Ildefonso Church of Saint Ildefonso Church Igreja do Carmo Igreja do Carmo Church Igreja da Santa Clara Igreja da Santa Clara Church Igreja da Misericórdia Igreja da Misericórdia Church Igreja da Santíssima Trindade Igreja da Santíssima Trindade Church Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados Church Igreja da Lapa Igreja da Lapa Church Saint Lawrence Church Saint Lawrence Church Church Pillory of Porto Pillory of Porto Historical Landmark Monumento aos Heróis da Guerra Peninsular Monumento aos Heróis da Guerra Peninsular Historical Landmark Monumento ao Rei D. Pedro V Monumento ao Rei D. Pedro V Historical Landmark Monumento ao Infante Dom Henrique Monumento ao Infante Dom Henrique Monument Monumento aos Mortos da Grande Guerra Monumento aos Mortos da Grande Guerra Monument Fonte dos Leões Fonte dos Leões Monument Monumento a Almeida Garrett Monumento a Almeida Garrett Monument Luís I Bridge Luís I Bridge Bridge Parque da Cidade do Porto Parque da Cidade do Porto Park Jardins do Palácio de Cristal Jardins do Palácio de Cristal Garden Parque das Virtudes Parque das Virtudes Garden Jardim dos Sentimentos Jardim dos Sentimentos Garden Jardim do Passeio Alegre Jardim do Passeio Alegre Garden Parque de São Roque Parque de São Roque Park Zoo Santo Inácio Zoo Santo Inácio Zoo Planetário do Porto Planetário do Porto Planetarium