 Porto
(also Oporto) is a Portuguese city and port in
the north-west of Portugal, the Costa Verde. The
city is built on both sides of the River Douro,
on 7 steep hills.
Portugal’s second largest city also offers
first-class culture; Porto, together with
Rotterdam, was designated as European
City/Capital of Culture in 2001.
In 2005 the city had 233,465 inhabitants, and
the entire ‘Greater Porto area’ 1.6 million
inhabitants.
Porto is also known as the place of origin of
port wine. This wine was stored and aged in Gaia
(a large quarter alongside the River Douro)
before export.
Porto was formerly called Cale and later
Portucale, from which the country name
‘Portugal’ has been derived.
Sightseeing i.e.:
* The Ribeira old town; Porto’s historical
centre, classified by the UNESCO as “World
Cultural Heritage” in December 1996. He, who
enjoys good wining and dining, will be satisfied
as well, as this beautiful area also offers many
restaurants and of course, Port wine cellars!
The boats (Rabelo boats) were used to carry the
Port wine from the Douro’s vineyards, upriver,
to the city.
* Industrial heritage: The outstanding monuments
of the Industrial Revolution period in Oporto
are the two wrought-iron bridges that cross the
River Douro.
The Dona Maria Pia Bridge of 1877 was designed
by Gustave Eiffel and the Luiz I bridge of 1886,
designed by Eiffel’s pupil and partner,
Theophile Seyrig. They replaced a suspension
bridge of 1843 of which two granite columns
remain on the right bank of the river.
 *
The Torre dos Clérigos is a bell tower (built
between 1731 and 1763, architect Nicolau Nasoni)
which is a part of the Clergios Church. This
historic building is known as the magnum opus of
baroque architecture in Porto. This monument is
considered a National Monument since 1910, as
well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tower
is also the highest church tower in Portugal
* Avenida dos Aliados is generally regarded as
the city centre and is as such Porto’s most
grandiose avenue. Dominated by the old town hall
(Camara Municipal), the avenue is flanked by
ornate neoclassical buildings with lawns and
trees in the centre.
* Palácio da Bolsa, the old Stock Exchange,
Housed in a 19th century neoclassical palace, in
particular the Arab Room will be a feast for
your eyes.
* Next door to the Palacio da Bolsa is the
Igreja de São Francisco, Porto’s only remaining
Gothic church, dating back to the 14th century.
Although not particularly extraordinary from
outside, the baroque interior is possibly the
finest in Portugal.
* Casa da Musica, built in response to "Cultural
Capital of Europe 2001”, is a major concert hall
space which houses the cultural institution of
the same name with its three orchestras
Orquestra Nacional do Porto, Orquestra Barroca
and Remix Ensemble. It was designed by the Dutch
architect Rem Koolhaas
* São Bento, Porto’s main station is certainly
worth a visit for its fine azulejos, tiles with
images from the history of the city. From the
station there is a clear line of sight up to the
austere looking Romanesque cathedral (Sé)
perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city
and river.
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