Igreja do Carmo, Porto

The Carmo Church or Church of the Venerable Third Order of Our Lady of Carmel, is located at the intersection between Praça de Carlos Alberto and Rua do Carmo, in the vicinity of the Clérigos Church and Tower, in the Portuguese parish of Vitória city of Porto.

Of baroque/rococo style, it was built in the second half of the 18th century, between 1756 and 1768, by the Third Order of Carmo, being the project of the architect José Figueiredo Seixas. The construction of the hospital started later, being concluded in 1801.

This church was built on land adjacent to the Carmelite Church, on the west side, given to the Order in 1752. Because the construction of two churches together was not allowed at that time, the so-called Casa Escondida do Porto was built between the two, separating the two churches and having a width of a little more than 1.5 meters.

It was classified as a National Monument on May 3, 2013, along with the adjacent Carmelite Church.

In recent years the Order of Carmo sought to open its vast heritage to public visitation. Initially opened the "Casa Escondida", considered by local guides as the "narrowest house in the city of Porto", and one of the narrowest in the country. Little by little it opened new spaces of its filling, and nowadays it is available to visit the Tourist Circuit of Ordem do Carmo. For a small fee a visit to the House, Church, Catacombs, Great Hall, Paraments Room, and Sacristy is made through Casa Escondida, allowing a glimpse of the Order's rich movable and immovable heritage, which includes paintings, sculptures, liturgical vestments, and relics. Part of the ticket supports the restoration of the Order's heritage. This visit is possible from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; on Mondays it starts at 12 noon and ends at 6 p.m. The complete tour is not possible whenever there is Mass, rosary, or wedding.

Guided tours are also available by appointment.