Faro

Arco de Repouso, Faro, Portugal, entrance to Faro old town. The walls date from the Roman period.
Arco de Repouso, entrance to the old town, Faro, Portugal.
  • Faro is a cathedral city located on the ria Formosa Lagoon in Algarve Region in southern Portugal.
  • It became the Roman city of Ossonoba in the Province of Lusitania.

History

  • Faro was founded by the Phoenicians in the 4th century BCE, and subsequently came under the control of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Visigoths and the Moors.
  • The Ria Formosa Lagoon is designated a Natural Park and is visited every year by thousands of birds on their migratory journeys. Three cities are located near the lagoon: Faro, Tavira and Olhao.

Roman Sites

  • Faro Walls and Octagonal Towers
    • Although these date from the period of rule of the Byzantine Empire (6th-7th century CE), parts of the walls date from the earlier Roman Period.

Roman Sites nearby

  • Mirobriga
    • A Roman Town 100 miles (160 km) north of Faro.
  • Cerro da Vila
    • A Roman Villa with mosaics (1st century CE) 14 miles (23 km) northwest of Faro.
  • Roman Ruins of Milreu (or Estoi)
    • These are the remains of a Villa rustica, that include mosaics, baths, a temple, a mausoleum and other structures. It is 5.6 miles (9km) north of Faro.
  • Tavira Roman Bridge
    • This is 18 miles (30 km) east from Faro.

Museums

  • Faro Archeological Museum
    • Located at Largo Dom Afonso II 14, 8000-167 in Faro, the museum holds a large collection of Roman Artefacts.

Roman Roads

 

Casa do Arco do Repouso, Walls of Faro, Faro

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