António, covered in 16th century azueljos (in blue, yellow and white) with two panels depicting the life of Saint Anthony. The square-shaped bell-tower, which is the main entrance the municipal offices and cloister, extends to three-floors, and topped by a railing of balusters, with ornate cornices and parapet with pinnacles. Access to the building is made through a gated archway, while successive floors continue the Roman archway theme in windows and narrow, double bell-tower openings. Cloister The former residence of the clergy of the convent occupies the largest portion of the building (to the left of the entranceway), constructed of basalt and masonry stone. The simple two-storey building, whose façades are interspersed with double-pane guillotine-style windows (on the first floor) and narrow two-door window-doors (on the second floor), is covered with interlocking bricks. Within the interior structure, the first floor rooms are open to a vaulted gallery that itself is open to the courtyard, supported by short, wide pillars, while the interior walls are laced with chest-high windows. The second-floor plan extends from outside façade and over the open vaulted gallery, and includes several arched windows that overlook the cloister. The courtyard is dominated by a large, square cistern made of volcanic blocks, dating to 1680, as stated on the inscription on one of its sides Besides the century plants there are three elegant palm trees (Archantophoenix elegans); originally four, the area in the southwest corner was replaced by a species of Livistona chinensa to maintain the symmetry. References Notes Sources 17th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Portugal Sao Francisco Vila Buildings and structures in Vila do Porto City and town halls in the Azores