Considered the capital of northern Portugal, this city impresses with the medieval architecture of its historic center, which rises where the Douro River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In this guide you’ll find out what to do and see in Porto and what attractions and sights you shouldn’t miss.
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A visit to Porto: travel guide
On the northern bank of the Douro River, near the Atlantic Ocean, Harbor It is the second largest city in Portugal after the capital Lisbon. Famous for the numerous and picturesque bridges that cross the river to reach the charming sights Old Town The city has medieval origins and is widely known as the home of excellence Winesparticularly Vinho do Porto, made in the Douro Valley.
Harbor It is also known as the “cidade invicta”, the city that was never defeated, as it withstood attacks from the Moors and Napoleon’s armies and remained militarily undefeated since its founding in Roman times. This long and glorious history behind it has given us numerous testimonies, Sightseeing features And monuments which we can still admire today. Some deserve the title UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Porto: the story
Harbor and its territory show traces of human habitation since prehistoric times. On the hills of Porto you can find the first traces of the prehistoric Castro, from which the city of Porto arose Himself or Penaventosa. The actual founding of City it happened in Roman times, around the 1st century AD, when the site was called “Portus Cale,” from which the name “Portugal” derives. In the middle Ages Different foreign populations followed each other in power and Harbor It was equipped with solid defenses that allowed it to achieve strategic and military importance.
After the Christian Reconquista and the birth of Kingdom of Portugal, the city became the protagonist of geographical discoveries. For example a Harbor In 1394, Henry the Navigator, Infante of Portugal, was born, whose nickname derives from his commitment to overseas exploration. In the 18th and 19th centuries the city developed into an important industrial center, which also led to a development in size and population growth.
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What to see in Porto: attractions and attractions
TO Harbor Contemporary and ancient architecture blend in a balanced way, just as it’s easy to stroll around the city and come across street art monuments old ones outdoors. It has been since 1996 Old Town is classified as UNESCO world cultural heritage for its exceptional urban landscape with a 2000-year history and for its cultural and commercial connections projected abroad. But Harbor it is also characterized by its beauty beaches the environment, the quality of it Restaurants and gastronomy, typical products and traditions that offer all the necessary elements for one Vacation truly unforgettable.
After this brief introduction, now it’s time to find out What to do and see in Porto, its attractions and sights that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
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Ribeira, the medieval historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Porto
The historic center of Porto corresponds to the environment of Ribeirawhich dates back to the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages, the most characteristic and richest in the city Sightseeing features. The Ribeira is unique and is a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets that climb the hill and are overlooked by old houses with white and pastel facades that create an atmosphere that takes you back in time.
You access the Old Town from the scenographic Don Luigi I Bridgewhile down on the banks of the Douro River there are the typical boats called “Barcos Rabelos”, once used to transport famous people port wine, as you can see from the stylized design of the barrels on the sides. In the historic center of Porto There are important ecclesiastical buildings such as the Cathedral and valuable churches in different styles, the São João Theater from the late 18th century, the former prison “Cadeia da Relação” from the 18th century, the Palácio da Bolsa and the Serra do Pilar Monastery .
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Cathedral and Terreiro da Sé – harbor
There Porto Cathedral it lies in the heart of Old Town and represents one of the most important and oldest monuments from Portugal. Construction began in the first half of the 12th century and lasted until the beginning of the 13th century. This first building underwent numerous changes over the centuries. The general style of the facade dates back toRomanesque era. In the period GothicAround the first half of the 14th century, the burial chapel of João Gordo, Knight of the Order of St. John, and the cloister were added. The exterior of the Cathedral It was significantly modified in the Baroque era based on a design by the Italian architect Niccolò Nasoni.
Inside, the main altar stands out Giovannino Baroque style, while to the left of the main chapel is a magnificently decorated silver altar, added in the second half of the 17th century and the work of various Portuguese artists. Also in the 17th century, the original Romanesque presbytery was replaced by a larger one in the Baroque style.
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The other churches – Porto
The CChurch of San Francesco, located in the historic center of Porto, has a beautiful baroque style. Construction began in the 14th century as part of a Franciscan monastery. Inside it houses baroque works by Talha Dourada from the 18th century. There Church of Sant’Ildefonso it lies northeast of the RibeiraIt dates back to the 18th century and is in the proto-baroque style. What is striking is the façade covered with azulejos, depicting scenes from the life of San Ildefonso and allegories of the Eucharist. It is part of the world cultural heritage UNESCO the middle.
We meet them in the Largo Primeiro de Dezembro Church of Santa Chiara It dates from the middle of the 15th century and is integrated into a section of Ferdinand’s Wall. The baroque portal from the late 18th century leads to the interior, which is rich and fully decorated. In fact, this place of worship is one of the most important examples of a decorative system typical of the Johannine Baroque in Talha Dourada.
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Torre dei Chierici – harbor
There Tower of the Clerics It is the symbol of the city of Porto. It is an architectural complex north of Old Town, at the end of Rua dos Clérigos. It consists of three main buildings: the magnificent cleric church, the tower and the Brotherhood House, which connects the church and the tower. Designed by the architect Niccolo NasoniThis ensemble is one of the most remarkable examples of the late Baroque style in Portugal and has been classified as a national monument since 1910.
There Tower It is 76 meters high, extends over six floors and is traversed by a spiral staircase of 225 steps, ending in two balconies from which one can enjoy a wide panoramic view of the city of Porto and its surroundings. There Church of the Clerics shows a typical style of 17th century Roman classicism, which Nasoni adapted to the environment, tastes and available materials. The interior is richly decorated, mostly with gold. There House of Brotherhood Today it is a museum space and allows you to visit the rooms that were once private and intended for the daily life of the Brotherhood of Clerics.
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Historical monuments and buildings – Porto
The Stock Exchange Palace It is a historic building from the 19th century, characterized by a neoclassical style. It is located on Rua Ferreira Borges in the historic center of Porto and is a heritage siteUNESCO. Don’t miss a visit Sao Bento train station, north of the historic center, for its over 20,000 azulejos that illustrate episodes of Portuguese history and snippets of life linked to the habits and customs of the different regions of the country. The Porto town hall building Located at the end of Avenida dos Aliados, it features a facade made of local granite and crowned by a 70-meter-high tower.
The National Theater of São João It overlooks the beautiful Praça da Batalha in the historic center and also includes the Carlos Alberto Theater and the São Bento da Vitória Monastery. It was built in the late 18th century, destroyed by fire in 1902, and today has a similar neoclassical style. Discover the most emblematic soul of Porto and its people typical products We recommend a visit Bolhão Market, housed in a two-story monumental-style building on Rua de Sa da Bandeira. Finally, you can’t miss it Lello Bookstorea historic bookstore at Rua das Carmelitas 144 in the historic center, known for its exceptional neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau styles.
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The Museums – Porto
Harbor It is very rich in museum facilities, so we will only mention the most important ones. Among them, this stands out Museum of Contemporary Artone of Museums most visited site in the country, where works of art by various contemporary Portuguese and international artists are exhibited. There Casa do InfanteThe 13th century building where Henry the Navigator was born houses the Medieval Museum Out of town. Other House museums iThese include the Fernando de Castro House-Museum, the Guerra Junqueiro House-Museum, the Marta Ortigão Sampaio House-Museum and the António Carneiro House-Laboratorio.
Housed in the Alfândega Nova building Museum of Transport and Communication illustrates the history of transportation and communication in the city and beyond. The National Museum of Soares dos ReisThe painting, created in 1833, includes much of the sculptor’s work. Between Museums Thematic ones include the Port Wine Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Porto Misericordia Museum, the Museum of Sacred Art and Archaeology, the Romantic Museum of Quinta da Macieirinha and the Military Museum of Porto.
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Excursions in Porto: Camino de Santiago and Serras do Porto Park
Harbor It is one of the main stages of the Camino de Santiago along the Portuguese coast. In fact, it is the last major center before the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino Portugués It is the second most popular route on the Internet itineraries to reach Santiago and can be started from St. James’ Church in Lisbon (610 km) or from Porto Cathedral (227 km in total).
Make trips In nature near the city of Porto there are instead Serras do Porto Park, is located 24 kilometers east of the city. It is a 6,000-hectare nature reserve that includes mountains and geological formations that are among the oldest in Portugal. The park is characterized by exceptional biodiversity and scenic beauty and has a network of ways This leads to the discovery of the gorges and gorges of the Sousa River and the Ferreira River, i.e monuments Megalithic monuments, old gold mines, the ruins of the castle of Aguiar de Sousa, old mills and stone villages.
Finally, don’t forget, Harbor It is also one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in Portugal and in its surroundings there are magnificent beaches that stretch along kilometers of sandy and flat coastline and which also offer the opportunity to take pleasant walks by the sea.
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