Located in the south of Portugal, the charming resort town of Lagos seems to be specially created for cozy family vacations. There is entertainment to suit every taste, like monuments of ancient architecture or the white sandy beaches of the endless Atlantic Ocean. The history of this lovely port town began more than 2000 years ago. Since then, only ancient stones have remained. But the Middle Ages generously endowed Lagos with magnificent historical and cultural monuments, like the ancient defensive walls, stone-paved streets, or the ancient castle, the hallmark of the town.

While enjoying the luxurious Moorish palace and the majestic stone fort, it is easy to miss the most precious gem of this place – the small Baroque church. Built in the early 17th century and completely restored after the great earthquake of 1755, this European Catholic church has a very modest appearance. But do not jump to conclusions! The main treasure of the Church of St. Anthony (Igreja de Santo Antonio) hides inside. The church has filthy rich decoration and staggering interiors. After all, it is not for nothing that the provincial church was nicknamed the "temple of pure gold". The shine of the precious metal dazzles its visitors, but the original ancient painting that adorns the ceiling of the temple looks no less majestic. The gigantic coat of arms of Portugal by talented Portuguese craftsmen, which covers the entire ceiling, is still very impressive. Not to mention the walls inlaid with pure gold together with the traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles, azulejos. The carved gilded altar was made by the famous engraver Gaspar Martins, and the elegant, elegant carvings on the walls – by another engraver, Custodio Mesquita.

This masterpiece of temple architecture is still functioning. It holds religious services once a year. The rest of the time, the Church of St. Anthony shares its beautiful halls with the Municipal Museum (Museu Municipal Dr. Jose Formosinho), which is open all year round.