The city of football and port, the city where you can visit the noisy bars and beautiful arched bridges, the city that gave the name to the state .... Porto is beautiful and unusual. It has a long history and has preserved many monuments that tell about it.
Description
The largest city of Porto in Portugal is the second. It is the center of the municipality and district of the same name. Porto is located on the banks of the Douro River, 270 km from Lisbon.
The city is inhabited by 240 thousand people. Porto and its surrounding suburbs are a major metropolitan area of Greater Porto.
From the history of the city
Long before the Roman era, there was a settlement on these lands. The Romans built a city here and named it Portus Cale. It was first mentioned in chronicles dating back to the 5th century. The name later changed. He began to be called Portucale.
Until the VIII century, the Moors owned these lands. In 982, Portucale became a Christian settlement ruled by Heinrich of Burgundy.
The city of Porto dates back to 1123. Its economic heyday began in 1237. By the 15th century, it had become the main center of shipbuilding in the country.
The rebellious nature and freedom of love have always been distinguished by the people of Porto. In 1209, its inhabitants opposed huge taxes and kept the episcopal residence under siege for five months. The Inquisition did not take root in this city - with tremendous difficulties, it lasted 4 years.
Porto women rebelled in 1628 against the tax on woolen goods and linen. In 1757, the inhabitants of the city of Porto (Portugal) protested against the monopoly on the production of wine introduced by the Marquis de Pombal. The Reconquista was born here, it was in Porto that the country's marine expansion began.
In addition, the city of Porto is the largest winemaking center since the time of ancient Lusitania, where the production of Portuguese wine and the national symbol - port - began.
Porto Alegri
Do not confuse this city with the Brazilian Porto Alegre, which is the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
This is the cultural, educational and political center of the country. The city of Porto Alegre has the highest standard of living among the state capitals of Brazil.
It is located at the confluence of the Guaiba River in the freshwater lagoon of Patus, at the junction of the natural regions of the Atlantic Forest and Pampa. It is one of the southernmost capitals of the Brazilian states.
Porto today
A major industrial center, a busy port on the Atlantic coast. This is how the city of Porto (Portugal) appears to tourists, a photo of which you can often see on the pages of tourist catalogs.
It has a compact historical center. All the attractions in it are within walking distance. They attract thousands of tourists here every year. Today we will not be able to tell you about all the interesting places that you can visit in Porto, but we will certainly introduce you to some of them.
sights
The city is divided into 15 districts. Of greatest interest to tourists is the old quarter of Ribeira, with narrow streets and colorful and original facades of low houses. In 1996, this quarter was protected by UNESCO.
Cleric Tower
The city of Porto, the photo of which you see in our article, has on its territory a 76-meter tower Torre dos Clerigos. It is a symbol of the city and the highest tower in the country.
In fact, it is the bell tower of the Catholic Church of Clerigos. It is visible from anywhere in the city. For a long time, it was a guide for sailors.
The church is built in baroque style. Its interior is decorated with marble and skillfully decorated with carvings. The construction of the bell tower, which is located on the western side of the church, dates back to 1763. It is also made in the Baroque style.
An observation deck is equipped on the sixth floor of the bell tower. You can climb here, having overcome 225 steps along a very narrow spiral staircase. Since 1910 it is a national monument.
Luis I Bridge
There are many interesting places to visit when arriving in the city of Porto. Many people know that it has many bridges. However, the most famous of them, undoubtedly, is the Luis I. Bridge.
It is located on the Duero River and connects Porto with the city of Vilanova de Gaia. The facility is under the protection of UNESCO.
The bridge spans are installed on a steel arch structure, the length of which is 172 meters. In addition, there are 5 bridge pylons. In this unique building, two steel spans were created - the upper one, which is located at a height of 62 meters, a length of 174 m, and the lower one (172 m) at a height of 10 m.
The author of the project of this bridge is engineer Teofilo Seyrig, who was a student of the great Gustav Eiffel. For its construction, 3000 tons of steel were needed. The bridge was put into operation at the end of October 1886.
Today, the metro line runs on the upper span, and the lower structure is used as a highway, pedestrian pavement and narrow gauge railway.
Cathedral
Tourists from different countries come to the city of Porto with pleasure. Its sights are diverse. Here everyone can see the monuments of history, culture, architecture, etc.
It is believed that once the center of Porto was the Cathedral, and a city was already being built around it. The temple is located on a high hill and is visible from anywhere in Porto. Without a doubt, this is the most popular place where tourists like to visit.
The cathedral was built in the 13th century. It looks stern and impregnable. The fact is that it was rebuilt from an old fortress. Toothed thick walls testify to this. They were necessary for protection from the Moors.
The church continued to be completed until the XIX century, so the cathedral complex is a combination of a wide variety of styles.
Of particular value is the unique silver altar. 800 kilograms of pure silver were used to create it. In 1809, he was miraculously saved from French soldiers - the city residents quickly walled up the altar niche. We recommend you to inspect the patio. It is lined with Portuguese Azulejo tiles.
In June, the cathedral attracts attention every year. At this time, traditional celebrations are held in honor of St. Antonio.
Episcopal Palace
It is the current residence of all the bishops of Portugal. It is located next to the Cathedral. The Episcopal Palace has architectural features: it harmoniously combines two styles - Rococo and Baroque.
The construction of this grandiose structure was conceived by Bishop Juan Rafael de Mendons. He ordered to demolish the old palace, which stood on this site, and begin construction of a new building. The construction lasted several years, and the author of the idea did not see his creation.
It should be noted that many elements of the initial plan were radically changed. Some fragments were completed in a hurry. This violated the structure of the building.
The palace was erected in the XII century, but only the stylistics of the windows and some elements of the facade remind of the Romanesque style. Later, it was rebuilt and reconstructed many times.
Porto Calem Port Museum
This unusual museum is located on the territory of one of the country's oldest wine enterprises. The Porto Calem trademark began its history in 1859. All this time there were produced port of the highest quality. The museum introduces the history of this ancient production.
On display you can get acquainted with the history of the Douro region, where from ancient times grapes have been grown, which is necessary for the manufacture of real port.
Porto Calem owns one hundred hectares of magnificent vineyards, in which each cluster receives the necessary amount of moisture and light.
Experienced guides will take everyone to the famous cellars, where guests will learn about the unique characteristics of each type of port. In addition, you can take part in a tasting of this noble drink or buy wine in a local shop so that you can enjoy its aroma upon returning home.
Crystal Palace Park
Often, tourists who come to the city of Porto begin to see the sights from the Park of the Crystal Palace. Residents of the city are very proud of this amazing place.
Music lovers will enjoy concerts held in the main pavilion building. Architecture experts will appreciate the harmony of the building. Paradise and Eden merged here into a single whole.
A crystal clear lake surrounds the palace. Flower beds with strange flowers, palm trees, peacocks - the park has everything you need for romantic walks.
On the central alley you can visit several thematic gardens - “Garden of Smells”, “Garden of Senses” and “Garden of Roses”.