At its core, Art Nouveau architecture sought to break away from historical revival styles, such as Gothic or Neoclassical architecture, that dominated much of the 19th century.

World Art Nouveau Day is marked every year on 10 June, the anniversary of the deaths of two greats of the movement: Catalan Antoni Gaudí and Hungarian Ödön Lechner.

A few kilometres from Faro, there is a rococo palace with a surprise. Completely restored, it has now become a charming hotel surrounded by formal French-style gardens open to the public.