The Baroque Church of the Clergy (Igreja dos Clérigos) is famous for its slender, 76-metre-high tower, visible from almost everywhere in Porto. The bell tower is decorated with 49 bells and there is a public observation deck at the top of the tower.

Architecture and history

The magnificent Baroque church bears the typical features of Portuguese architecture with a double-coloured façade (black volcanic stone combined with white plaster). The church was built between 1732 and 1750, but the tower was not completed until 1763. The façade and the tower itself feature very rich sculptural decoration.

The church is unusual at first sight. The width of the nave itself almost exactly follows the width of the base of the tower, which is almost the same in height as the length of the church.

The bell tower, known as the Torre des Clérigos (Tower of the Clerics), is the tallest building in Porto at 76 metres and the tallest church tower in Portugal.

Admission and opening hours

The church is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, while the lookout on the tower is open until 11:00 pm (last entry at 10:30 pm).

Entrance to the church is free, but there is an entrance fee for the tower and you must also book the exact time of your visit online through the official website.

The daily admission fee until 18:30 is 8 eur, then evening admission from 7pm until closing time costs only 5 eur. Children from 10 to 17 pay 6 eur and younger ones are free.