The second largest city in Portugal. City of Porto, Portugal: attractions, description and interesting facts. Taxi. What features exist

The city of football and port wine, a city where you can visit noisy bars and beautiful arched bridges, the city that gave its name to the state... Porto is beautiful and unusual. It has a long history and has preserved many monuments that tell about it.

Description

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. 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 the major urban agglomeration 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 called it Portus Cale. It was first mentioned in chronicles dating back to the 5th century. Later the name changed. It became known as Portucale.

Until the 8th century, these lands were owned by the Moors. In 982, Portucale became a Christian settlement, ruled by Henry of Burgundy.

The city of Porto traces its history back to 1123. Its economic heyday began in 1237. By the 15th century it had become the main shipbuilding center in the country.

The population of Porto has always been distinguished by its rebellious character and love of freedom. 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 - it existed with great difficulties for 4 years.

The women of Porto rebelled in 1628 against a tax on woolen goods and linen. In 1757, residents of the city of Porto (Portugal) protested against the monopoly on wine production introduced by the Marquis de Pombal. The Reconquista was born here, and it was in Porto that the country’s maritime expansion began.

In addition, the city of Porto is the largest center of winemaking since the times of ancient Lusitania, where the production of the national symbol, port wine, began.

Porto Alegre

This city should not be confused with the Brazilian Porto Alegre, which is the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

It is the cultural, educational and political center of the country. The city of Porto Alegre has the highest status among the state capitals of Brazil.

It is located at the confluence of the Guaiba River into the freshwater Patus Lagoon, 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 large industrial center, a busy port on the Atlantic coast. This is how the city of Porto (Portugal) appears to tourists, photos of which you can often see on the pages of tourist catalogs.

It has a compact historical center. Everything is within walking distance. They attract thousands of tourists here every year. Today we cannot tell you about all the interesting places that you can visit in Porto, but we will definitely introduce you to some of them.

Attractions

The city is divided into 15 districts. Of greatest interest to tourists is the ancient Ribeira quarter, 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 the 76-meter tower Torre dos Clérigos. It is the symbol of the city and the tallest tower in the country.

In fact, it is the bell tower of Clérigos. It is visible from anywhere in the city. For a long time it was a reference point for sailors.

The church was 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 west side of the church, dates back to 1763. It is also made in the Baroque style.

There is an observation deck on the sixth floor of the bell tower. You can climb here by climbing 225 steps along a very narrow one. It has been a national monument since 1910.

Luis I Bridge

There are many interesting places to visit when visiting the city of Porto. Many people know that it has many bridges. However, the most famous of them is undoubtedly the Luís I Bridge.

It is located on the Duero River and connects Porto with the city of Vilanova de Gaia. The object is under UNESCO protection.

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 structure, two steel spans were created - the upper one, which is located at a height of 62 meters, with a length of 174 m, and the lower one (172 m) with a height of 10 m.

Today, the upper span houses a subway line, while the lower structure is used as a highway, pedestrian walkway, and narrow-gauge railway.

Cathedral

Tourists from different countries come to the city of Porto with pleasure. Its attractions are varied. Here everyone can see monuments of history, culture, architecture, etc.

It is believed that the Cathedral was once the center of Porto, and the city was 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. He looks stern and unapproachable. The fact is that it was rebuilt from an old fortress. This is evidenced by the thick jagged walls. They were necessary for protection against the Moors.

The church continued to be completed until the 19th century, so the cathedral complex is a combination of a wide variety of styles.

The unique silver altar is of particular value. 800 kilograms of pure silver were used to create it. In 1809, it was miraculously saved from French soldiers - city residents quickly walled up the altar niche. We also recommend checking out the courtyard. It is lined with Portuguese azulejo tiles.

In June every year the cathedral attracts attention. At this time, traditional celebrations in honor of St. Antonio take place.

Bishop's Palace

It is the current seat of all the bishops of Portugal. It is located next to the Cathedral. The Bishop's Palace has architectural features: it harmoniously combines two styles - Rococo and Baroque.

The construction of this grandiose structure was conceived by Bishop João Rafael de Mendons. He ordered the demolition of the old palace that stood on this site and the construction of a new building to begin. 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 of the fragments were completed in a hurry. This damaged the structure of the building.

The palace was built in the 12th century, but only the style 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 Wine Museum

This unusual museum is located on the territory of one of the oldest wineries in the country. The Porto Calem brand began its history in 1859. All this time, port wines of the highest quality were produced here. The museum introduces the history of this ancient production.

In the exhibition you can get acquainted with the history of the Douro region, where grapes, which are necessary for the production of real port wine, have been grown since ancient times.

Porto Calem production owns one hundred hectares of magnificent vineyards, where each bunch 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 wine. In addition, here you can take part in a tasting of this noble drink or buy wine in a local store 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 Crystal Palace Park. Residents of the city are very proud of this amazing place.

Music lovers will greatly enjoy the concerts held in the main pavilion. Architecture connoisseurs will appreciate the respect for the harmony of the building. Paradise and Eden merged into a single whole here.

A lake with crystal clear water surrounds the palace. Flower beds with exotic 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”.

Porto is one of the most interesting and remarkable cities in Portugal, as well as the second city in the country in terms of population. Moreover, it was Porto that gave the name not only to the entire country, but also to the famous fortified wine Port.

Perhaps due to the geographical location of the city - and it is located in the north of the country, at the mouth of the Douro River (Duero) - the city still invariably retains its medieval originality and pristineness, which, without a doubt, attracts tourists from all over the world.

In addition, it is worth noting that in the historical heart of Porto, which, by the way, is much smaller in size than in Lisbon, is the Ribeira district, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Climate

The climate in Porto is not very different from that which prevails throughout Portugal. Winters here are warm and mild, and summers are quite hot and slightly humid.

In the winter months, the average air temperature hovers around 14 °C, and during the summer season the air warms up to 25 °C. The greatest amount of seasonal precipitation falls in winter, and the warmest and most comfortable month of the year is August. The average water temperature in summer is 17 °C.

Nature

Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, is located north of Lisbon. It lies on the right bank of the mouth of the deep Douro River, literally a few kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. A special feature of Porto is the presence of a satellite city Vila Nova de Ga, which is part of an urban agglomeration, but is a separate geographical unit.

Attractions

The most important historical attraction of Porto is considered to be the ancient Cathedral(XII century), located in the city center. The building is decorated with exquisite frescoes and stained glass windows, and its main decoration is the silver altar.

The tower became another symbol of the city Clorigos with a spacious observation deck from where you can see the entire city.

No less interesting Franciscan Church of San Francisco, striking with a combination of a variety of architectural styles.

Among other prominent buildings that have earned the title of masterpieces of architecture, it is worth highlighting Bishop's Palace, building Town Halls and city building Exchanges. In addition, Porto is famous for its beautiful bridge that connects it with the town of Vila Nova de Gaia.

For connoisseurs of art and history, Porto has a wide variety of museums:

• Museo Soares Dos Reis;
• Museum of Ethnography;
• Art Museum;
• Museum of Electric Transport, etc.

And, of course, you can’t visit Porto, the birthplace of port wine, without visiting its distilleries, of which there are more than 40. By signing up for an excursion to one of these distilleries, you can watch the process of making wines, as well as attend a tasting.

Nutrition

Portuguese cuisine is often called “peasant” for its simplicity and satiety, however, if you visit the restaurants of Porto, this opinion can be radically changed.

Most local dishes are based on fish, seafood and meat, and the main side dish is rice with vegetables. Of the Portuguese dishes that you can try in Porto, it is worth highlighting:

• aromatic mashed potato soup with cabbage;
• beef offal;
• stewed cod with peas;
• feijoada (a dish of meat, rice and red beans);
• baked trout;
• olive caviar.

Also in local restaurants you can try quite exotic dishes: wolf perch, monkfish and thick-crusted goat cheese. Well, among meat dishes, the undisputed leaders are juicy schnitzels, beef cutlets, lamb and suckling pig.

Dessert lovers will enjoy the local cuisine no less than seafood and meat lovers. Almost all sweet dishes here are prepared with the addition of almonds and cinnamon, which give them a unique taste and aroma: a variety of pastries, cakes, puddings, mousses, crispy cookies and fruit salads.

Separately, it is worth mentioning Portuguese wines, the most famous of which is port. "Vinho do Porto". It is prepared according to ancient recipes that have been passed down to winemakers since the Middle Ages. In addition, aged noble wines and sparkling wine-based drinks are quite popular.

Accommodation

The tourism infrastructure of Porto is quite well developed, so you can always find suitable accommodation for your holiday here. The city has a huge variety of hotels and inns of different classes.

The most comfortable and luxury hotels are located in the historical part of the city and close to the main attractions, for example, HF Fénix Porto 5* (from $68).

There are also quite a lot of not very expensive, but comfortable hotels in the city: Pão de Açúcar Hotel (from $37), Hotel Quality Inn Praça da Batalha Porto (from $43), etc. In addition, in Porto you can find inexpensive inns, boarding houses and motels.

Entertainment and relaxation

Porto, like Lisbon, is the cultural center of Portugal. The city has concert halls, theaters and museums where you can have a great time and get involved in art.

Another feature of the city is its love for mass celebrations and holidays. Processions, carnivals and costume balls take place here constantly and for any occasion. Typically, such folk festivals are accompanied by fireworks, musical performances and plenty of food.

Porto also offers a wide variety of options for nightlife lovers. The city has many nightclubs where you can have fun and relax. Most of these establishments are located on the Ribeira promenade and in the suburb of Matosinhos.

Well, lovers of nature and leisurely walks will appreciate the beautiful Porto Botanical Garden, the oldest in Portugal.

Purchases

In Porto, it is recommended to go shopping on the central streets Mercado do Bolhao, Santa Catarina And Boavista, where there is a wide variety of shops, grocery supermarkets, antique shops, luxury boutiques and souvenir shops.

There are also many modern shopping centers in Porto, where shopping can be easily combined with lunch in a cafe, bowling, watching an entertainment show, etc. The most popular shopping centers in the city are Norte Shopping, Arrábida Shopping, Cidad Bom Sucesso, Gaia Shopping And Parque Nascente, they work every day and are always filled with crowds of buyers.

For memorable souvenirs and gifts, you should go to the shops located on the street Santa Catarina. This is where the largest number of souvenir shops, antique shops and small street markets are concentrated.

Of the many souvenirs of Porto, the most popular, without a doubt, is a bottle of authentic Portuguese port. It is also worth paying attention to:

• ceramics;
• figurines of cockerels;
• products made from cork oak bark;
• footwear and textiles.

Among gastronomic purchases, in addition to port wine, other local wines, olives, cheese and egg cream are in demand.

Transport

The most optimal transport for tourists in Poro is the metro, which consists of three lines (blue, green and purple) and can take you to any city attraction that is located within the city. The metro operates from 06:00 to 01:00 and costs 1 €.

You can also get around the city by buses and trams, but their routes are a little confusing, which can create some inconvenience. And for belated travelers, special night buses run through the center of Porto once an hour. The cost of travel in this case within the city is 1.3 € and 1.55 € if necessary to get to nearby settlements.

An alternative to public transport in Porto is a taxi. The cost of a short trip by state taxi is 3-5 €, and at night it is 20% more expensive.

Connection

To make a call, you can use one of the many street machines. Payment for calls is made with coins or special cards, which are sold in post offices, tobacco shops and Telecom Portugal stores. You can also make a call from a hotel, bar or restaurant, but it will be much more expensive.

Mobile communications in Portugal operate in the GSM 900/1800 standard and are of high quality and excellent coverage. There are three mobile operators in the country - Vodafone, TMN and Optimus, which have roaming agreements with most foreign companies. It is worth noting that this country has one of the highest rates of cell phone owners per capita.

Internet access is provided in almost all hotels, as well as in Internet cafes and post offices (Netpost service). In addition, the city has a fairly large number of wireless Wi-Fi access points.

Safety

Pothu is a safe and calm city, and its people are always hospitable and friendly. However, despite this, tourists may encounter pickpocketing or petty fraud. Therefore, during walks and excursions, in transport, in large stores and markets, you must follow precautionary rules and monitor your personal belongings.

It is strongly not recommended to change currency from street intermediaries; it will be much safer and safer to use the services of banks or specialized exchange offices (“agência de cámbios”).

Business climate

Porto is one of the most economically and industrially developed cities in Portugal. It was here that many engineering innovations, such as tram traffic (1872), were implemented for the first time in the entire country.

In addition, Porto is home to the largest oil refinery in Portugal, as well as many enterprises that specialize in the production of wine, textiles, footwear, chemicals and pulp and paper products. Porto is also a center of mechanical engineering and metallurgy.

Thanks to all this, the city has created excellent conditions for foreign investors and businessmen.

Real estate

Real estate in Porto, of course, is not as popular as in Lisbon, but there is always a demand for it, and recently it has begun to increase rapidly. This is due to the fact that Porto is the second largest and most important city in Portugal, a major industrial center in Europe, as well as the growth of its tourist popularity and not too high prices for any housing (from $55 thousand per apartment).

It is worth noting that the process of purchasing real estate in Portugal consists of two stages: signing a contract that reserves it for the buyer and concluding a final agreement.

Visitors to Porto should inquire in advance about the opening hours of government agencies providing services that they may need.

• Thus, all banks in the city are open only on weekdays from 8:30 to 15:00.
• Most post offices are also only open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00, although the central post office is open all week.
• Pharmacies in Porto open early in the morning, and for emergencies there are pharmacies on duty in all areas of the city.
• Well, most city stores are open from 9:00 to 19:00, and on weekends - until 13:00.
• Shopping centers most often work without breaks, holidays and weekends from (10:00 to 00:00).

Porto(port. Porto ["poɾtu]) is the second largest (after Lisbon) city in Portugal, the center of the district and municipality of the same name. It is the center of the large urban agglomeration of Greater Porto.

Porto, together with Lisbon, is included in the List of Global Cities (according to GaWC), considered an important element of the global economic system. Porto is located 270 km north of Lisbon. The historical center of Porto is located on the right bank of the Douro River, a few kilometers from where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The city center has been declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Story

The history of Porto begins around 300 BC. e. from the Proto-Celtic and Celtic peoples, the earliest known inhabitants of these places. Ruins from this period have been discovered in several areas. There was also a Gallecan settlement in the area of ​​modern Porto (see Castro (culture)).

The Roman general Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus conquered the city around 136 BC. The Romans named the city Portus Cale. This name later changed to Portucale. The name of the county comes from it Condado Portucalense, which later gave the name to the whole country - Portugal.

In 540, the Visigoths made the city the residence of a bishop and built a fortress.

Porto came under the control of the Moors during their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in 711. In 868 it was recaptured by Count Vimara Pires. From 997 to 1050 again under Moorish rule. Since 1092, the city was finally liberated during the reconquest and became part of the Kingdom of Leon, as part of the County of Portucale, which was inherited by Henry of Burgundy, from which the history of independent Portugal began in 1096.

The municipality was founded in 1123.

1370 King Ferdinand I renovates the city fortifications, the so-called Muralhas Fernandinas.

In 1387, the marriage of Philippa of Lancaster from the Lancaster Dynasty and King John I of Portugal took place in Porto. This marriage became the basis of the Treaty of Windsor - the Anglo-Portuguese alliance, the longest in diplomatic history.

After the conclusion of the Treaty of Methuen in 1703, an era of prosperity began for Porto, due in part to the fact that Portugal could sell more and more port wine to England. Since 1717, countless English trading offices opened their branches in Porto; by the middle of the 18th century, up to 15% of the city’s population were English.

In 1809, during the Napoleonic Wars, Porto was occupied by French troops. British troops under the command of the Duke of Wellington manage to liberate the city that same year.

From 2002 to 2013, the mayor of Porto was the famous politician Rui Rio, and since January 2018 he has been the chairman of the Social Democratic Party.

Useful information for tourists about Porto in Portugal - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Porto is the second most populous city in Portugal, located in the north of the country, on the right bank of the Douro River. It is the former capital of Portugal and the country's major port, famous for its world famous port wine.

The history of Porto dates back to the Roman Portocale, which existed in the 5th century, but there were settlements on this site much earlier. At the beginning of the 8th century it was captured and destroyed by the Moors, and at the end of the 10th century these lands were liberated by Prince Henry of Burgundy. By his order, construction of a cathedral began here in 982. In 1147, the bishop of Porto, Dom Hugo, organized the English, German and flagship crusaders on a sea campaign against Lisbon. They helped Afonso Henriques liberate the future capital of Portugal from the Moors. During the era of geographical discoveries, Portugal became the most important maritime and trading power in Europe, and Porto became its main port and shipbuilding center. From its very foundation, Porto has been a freedom-loving, independent city. There were often riots and uprisings here, and even the Inquisition did not have much power in Porto. In 1757, residents rebelled against the wine monopoly imposed by the Marquis of Pombal (to rebuild Lisbon after the earthquake). In 1832, Porto was the center of the House of Miguel's struggle for power, and in 1878 the first republican elections were held here.

Historically, Porto is divided into five districts, very different from each other and each with its own flavor. Along the river bank lies Ribeira, with narrow intertwined streets. Here life is in full swing around the clock: during the day - at work, and at night - at bars and restaurants. In the area of ​​the Cathedral there are many historical buildings and ancient monuments, and between the main streets there is a labyrinth of small alleys. The city center has been declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The student district of Cordoaria has steep streets and interesting shops. The center of Porto is the Baixa district. There are wide avenues lined with banks and street cafes. Baixa is also home to Porto's two-story indoor market, another part of the city's business life. The Boavista district is the gateway to Porto, through which tourists usually enter the city.

Porto is rich in architectural monuments, including the tallest church tower in Portugal - the granite Clérigos Tower, built in the 18th century. Its height is 75 meters. It is worth visiting the Cathedral, which was rebuilt from an old fortress in the 12th-18th centuries, the Franciscan Church of San Francisco, built in 1233, famous for its richly carved interior decoration. Masterpieces of 18th-century Portuguese baroque architecture are the Episcopal Palace with the Machado de Castro Museum and the São Bento Station with walls made of huge azulecos tiled panels. Porto is home to the oldest botanical garden in Portugal, founded in 1772, designed in the late Baroque style.

Porto is famous for its bridges, its history, but port wine brought the greatest fame to the city. Only wine grown in the vineyards of the Douro Valley and aged under special conditions in Porto itself can be called this. There is a whole scientific institute of port wine in the city, where the various properties of this amazing wine are studied.

Walking in Porto along the picturesque Rua das Flores, which is the street of gold and silversmiths, you can reach the most beautiful square in Portugal. The central square of the city is Freedom Square, surrounded by numerous buildings built in the 19th-20th centuries.

Freedom Square is located in the southern part of the city, next to one of the central highways of the city. The appearance of the square on this site goes back to the beginning of the 18th century. In 1718, the city's development began to be brought into a single, orderly system; as a result, new streets and squares appeared. Initially, the square was bordered by medieval fortress walls, which have not survived to this day. In 1788, a monastery was built on the south side of the square, replacing the medieval wall. This monastery, known as the Cardosas Palace, has survived to this day and has been one of the main buildings in Liberty Square for more than 200 years. In the 19th century, several events occurred that increased the importance of the square in the life of the city - the municipality moved here, and later a bridge and a railway station were built nearby. Liberty Square has become the political, economic and social center of Porto. And in 1866, a monument to King Peter IV, who granted Portugal a constitution, was unveiled here. A sculpture in the form of a horseman now stands in the center of the square.

The appearance of the square changed after 1916, when the city hall was demolished and the Avenida dos Aliados boulevard was built to the north of the square. Today, around Freedom Square there are banks, hotels, restaurants and numerous offices.

War Museum

The military museum, located in the Portuguese city of Porto, has a long history. The artist Joaquim Vitorino Ribeiro began collecting a collection of objects and documents related to military themes at the end of the 19th century. In 1920, on the centenary of the Liberal Revolution, it was presented to the public. The Military Museum itself was opened in 1980 in a building built at the end of the 19th century, which previously housed a delegation of the former secret police.

The museum's exhibitions introduce visitors to the military history of Portugal. Among the exhibits you can see several guns and combat vehicles from the 15th to 20th centuries. The main attraction of the Military Museum is the collection of 16 thousand miniature figurines of soldiers, which represent the development of Portuguese military costume. The museum also has a separate room dedicated to the revolution of 1891, when the first attempt was made to establish a republic in Portugal. A small thematic library at the museum is available to the public.

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Tram Museum

The Tram Museum, located in the Portuguese city of Porto, was created by public transport management company STCP. It was opened in 1992 on the territory of the former Massarelos power station, on an area of ​​about two thousand square meters.

The museum's exhibitions, presented mainly by electric transport, introduce visitors to the hundred-year history of trams in the country. Among the exhibits you can see old horse-drawn carriages - carriages that were pulled by horses on rails, the first electric trams that appeared in the city at the end of the 19th century, and modern cars on which you can ride around the city. Another interesting piece from the collection of the Tramway Museum is a “British tram”, donated to the city at the end of the 20th century by one of the British manufacturing companies.

The Duero River is one of the largest rivers of the Iberian Peninsula. It originates in Spain, northwest of the city of Soria, in the Iberian Mountains and, having traveled about 900 kilometers across the Castilian Plateau, reaches the Atlantic in Portugal.

The Duero flows through one of the recognized wine regions of Spain - Ribera del Duero, where excellent wines are produced from red Tempranillo grapes. The river passes through the city of Zamora and then descends from the North Castilian plateau and flows through one of the most impressive canyons in Europe, 200-500 meters deep and 112 kilometers long, which forms part of the state border between Spain and Portugal. Currently it is a protected international natural park.

In Portugal this river is known as the Douro. Here is the Alto Douro wine region, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. The local microclimate allows the cultivation of olives, almonds and special grapes, from which the famous port wine is made. The valleys near the cities of Peso da Regua and São João da Pesqueira are considered to be the center for the production of the best port wine. The best wine has been stored in local cellars for more than 80 years.

A few kilometers from the mouth of the river is the city of Porto, the second largest in Portugal and one of the westernmost cities in Europe.

Porto Cathedral

It is believed that the Cathedral was once the center of the city, around which the whole of Porto was built. Whether this is true or not, the cathedral, located on a high hill and visible from almost anywhere in the city, is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots in Porto.

The cathedral was built back in the 12th-13th centuries. Its appearance is stern and inaccessible, because it was rebuilt from an old fortress, as the thick battlements speak eloquently about. This was due to the need to defend against the Moors, in whose hands the south of Portugal was at that time. The church continued to be built on until the 19th century, so the entire cathedral complex is an intriguing combination of a variety of architectural styles.

It is definitely worth seeing the unique silver altar, the construction of which took 800 kilograms of silver - in 1809 it was saved from the French by quickly walling up the altar niche. The courtyard, lined with the famous Portuguese azulejo tiles, also deserves attention.

Every year in June, the cathedral becomes the center of attention during the traditional celebrations in honor of St. Antonio. These days, millions of sardines are eaten here, and the whole area is filled with riotous fun.

Opening hours are from 9:00 to 19:00. Ticket price 3 euros.

Bishop's Palace

The Episcopal Palace in the city of Porto is the residence of bishops in Portugal. The palace is located near the Cathedral. The palace is interesting for its architectural features, which successfully combine two styles: Baroque and Rococo.

The initiator of the construction of the palace was Bishop João Rafael de Mendons. He ordered the complete demolition of the old palace that stood on this site and the construction of a completely new building. The construction process lasted for several years, and, unfortunately, the author of the idea was never able to admire his creation. Many elements of the original plan were changed, and some fragments were completed in great haste. All this caused a violation of the global structure of the building.

The palace was built in the 12th century, but only reminders of the Romanesque style have been preserved in the style of windows and other elements of the facade. Then the palace was rebuilt and renovated several times, and the most extensive reconstruction was carried out under Bishop Luis Pires. Nowadays, the palace proudly rises above the small houses surrounding it.

Dragao Stadium

The Dragao football arena is located in the city of Porto and is home to FC Porto. This is one of the most modern and beautiful stadiums in Europe.

The stadium was opened in 2003. Its name corresponds to the team's nickname - "dragons". The stadium has a round shape, with stands as close as possible to the field. Its roof covers almost 100% of the stands, whose capacity is more than 52 thousand fans. This arena is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.

The stadium hosted matches of the 2004 European Championship. Also in 2006, the stadium hosted a concert by the world famous band the Rolling Stones. Another important event held at the arena was the final of the Race of Champions competition in 2009.

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Don Luis Bridge

The Don Luis Bridge, or Ponte de Don Luis, or sometimes even Casa Luis, is a railway, road and pedestrian bridge over the Douro River in Portugal. This bridge is considered one of the symbols of the city of Porto, so its image can often be found on the labels of alcohol produced in this city.

The Don Luis Bridge connects the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It was built according to the design of Theophilus Seyrig, who was a student and companion of the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. Built in 1886, the bridge was named after the then King of Portugal, Luis I.

The Ponte de Don Luis is 385.25 meters long and weighs 3045 tons, the height of the arched span is 44.6 meters and the length is 172 m. The bridge has two levels.

The lower level, running quite low over the water, connects the lower part of the city of Porto with the cellars and wine warehouses of the city of Vila Nova de Gaia, and the upper level connects the upper part of Porto with the upper part of Vila Nova de Gaia.

The most popular attractions in Porto with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Porto on our website.

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