What is the name of the city of Porto. Why is Porto called the pearl of Portugal? When is the best time to visit Porto

See, understand, enjoy, love!

Colors, shapes, aromas, tastes add up

into vivid pictures in memory, so that later we

could look at them all my life"

About the country, its history and people

Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe with a rich history. Portugal is a charming country that can be called a quiet European province, where virgin nature serenely coexists with a developed tourist infrastructure, and respect for national customs coexists peacefully with pan-European traditions.

The country of great navigators Portugal is located in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. In the south and west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, on land it borders on Spain. Portugal includes the Azores, located in the Atlantic Ocean about 1,450 km west of Lisbon, and the island of Madeira, 970 km southwest of Lisbon, which are autonomous regions of Portugal. The area of ​​the country, together with the islands, is 92.39 thousand square meters. km.

The name of the country comes from the name of the Roman settlement of Portus Cale at the mouth of the Douro River. In 1139, Portugal became an independent kingdom from Spain. At that time, it occupied only the northern third of its modern territory. In 1249, the last Muslim ruler in the south of the country was expelled, and since then its borders have changed little. The era of conquest began in the 15th century, when Portuguese maritime explorers such as Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan traveled around the world, making great geographical discoveries. By the 16th century, the territories they discovered formed a huge empire that stretched from the coast of Brazil to Africa and Asia. It was during this era that the economy of Portugal reached its greatest prosperity.

In 1910, the monarchy was overthrown in Portugal, and in 1974 a democratically-minded military junta put an end to the dictatorial regime that had existed since 1926. Portugal is one of the few countries in Europe that was not occupied by Nazi troops during World War II.

The constitution adopted in 1976 declared Portugal a parliamentary republic with direct elections and universal adult suffrage.

By handing over the last of its overseas territories, Macau, Macau, which it had held since 1680, to Chinese rule in 1999, Portugal ended a long and sometimes turbulent colonial era in its history.

The events of Portuguese history had a huge impact on the culture of the country and introduced the features of Moorish and Oriental styles into architecture and art. Traditional folk dances and tunes, especially lyrical fado, do not lose their significance to this day, which can be seen and heard right on the streets. According to one version, the name fado comes from the Latin word fatum, which means fate. The melodies of the songs harmoniously combine Moorish, African and Brazilian melodies, the theme of loneliness, longing and foreboding of a sad fate runs through all the songs, but this does not mean that this type of music is suitable only for melancholics. The ability to sing of sadness, to turn it into an object of admiration is one of the national traits of the Portuguese, and it is not without reason that for several centuries almost every family in this country has been waiting for sons and husbands who set off to conquer the sea, and the journey could end in the most unpredictable way.

The population of the country is mono-ethnic, 99% of the 10.8 million population are Portuguese. Many peoples have settled on the Iberian Peninsula for a long time. The most ancient inhabitants - the Iberians - were undersized and swarthy. Over the centuries, the appearance of the Portuguese was formed under the influence of the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, as well as Germanic tribes (Visigoths and Alemanni).

Portugal is a monolingual country. The official language is Portuguese. It is spoken by more than 200 million people worldwide on three continents: Eurasia, Africa and South America. This language has similarities with Spanish, since both belong to the Ibero-Romance subgroup of the Romance group of languages, however, with a similar grammatical structure, there are significant differences in pronunciation between them. The formation of the language was greatly influenced by the Germanic tribes and the Arabs (Moors), from whom the Portuguese language borrowed many words, as well as the contacts of travelers, discoverers and merchants with Asian peoples.

National features: Do not question the historical greatness of the country - the Portuguese are proud of their past, especially against the backdrop of the modest place that the country occupies today. The Portuguese are very painful to compare them with the Spaniards, despite the similarity of languages, characters and national cultures. Bullfighting is also popular here, but, unlike the Spanish bullfight, where the bull is killed, in Portuguese the animal is pacified by a team of unarmed fighters (forkados).

In this country, the percentage of the rural population is one of the highest in Western Europe, many foreigners work in its factories, construction sites and fields, including from Ukraine. Average annual income per capita: 22,500 USD (data from the World Bank, 2011). Average life expectancy is approaching 80 years. As in other countries, women in Portugal live longer, almost 82 years, while men still do not reach 76. The retirement age is 65 years, and the actual retirement age is 61-62 years.

Portugal is a country of great sea voyages, grandiose geographical discoveries and tart port wine. Mild climate, fresh forest and meadow aromas, light ocean breeze and the vast expanses of the Atlantic, unique architecture in the Manueline style and strong coffee… All this deserves to get to know this interesting country better.

Wgetting to know Porto

They say about the cities of Portugal: they pray in Braga, they work in Porto, they party in Lisbon. My acquaintance with Portugal began from Porto. Porto, the second most populated city in Portugal with a population of 240 thousand inhabitants, gave its name not only to port wine, but to the whole country. The historical center of Porto is located on the right bank of the Douro River, a few kilometers from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean. The city center has been declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Porto is well known for its entrepreneurial spirit, distinctive culture and local cuisine. The city is often referred to as the northern capital of Portugal. Porto is home to the largest university in Portugal (about 29,000 students).

One of the most striking sights of Porto is the Clerigos Tower - the highest in Portugal - 76 meters or 225 steps. The baroque church was built for the brotherhood of clerics ("Clerigos") by the architect Nicola Nasoni according to the Roman scheme. Its construction began in 1732 and ended in 1750 with the construction of a monumental staircase. July 28, 1748, despite the fact that the building was not yet fully completed, the church was opened for worship. Torre dos Clerigos has become the symbol of the city of Porto. It has been a National Monument since 1910.

The city is famous for the production of different brands of port wine. We visit one of the ancient "port wine houses" - Galem, get acquainted with the history and features of the production of this popular drink. And, of course, we taste some varieties, and whoever wants to buy the wines they like. Having warmed up our appetite with the wines we are tasting, we begin our acquaintance with Portuguese cuisine in one of the restaurants, where we enjoy eating the national fish dish called “bacalau”.

Having refreshed ourselves with “bacalau” and tasting port wines, we walked with pleasure along the embankment of the Douro River, where such pretty boats float.

Four bridges are thrown across the Douro River, connecting the historical part of the city with Vila Nova de Gaia, a small neighboring town where the world-famous port wine is stored. One of the bridges (by Louis the First) was built according to the design of Gustave Eiffel: a two-tier structure of impressive size seems openwork and light.

On the highest point of the old city, the Se Cathedral was built. Erected in the 12th century on a granite rock, it originally served as a fortress. Later it was rebuilt, but it has retained its severe appearance to this day. Inside the cathedral is not very interesting. Decor lovers will be impressed by the luxurious silver altar, the construction of which took 800 kg of silver, and the patio, lined with the famous Portuguese azulejo tiles.

Cathedral Square offers a beautiful view of the city.

From the cathedral to the river, the descent goes through the poorest district of Porto. The area of ​​luxurious villas is located near the ocean. You can get here on the current tram-museum, which has not changed since 1930. It's called the Electric Machine Museum. However, each of Porto's trams can serve as an exhibit: inside the vehicle is upholstered in wood, the driver drives it while standing, for the simple reason that there is no seat for it. When the tram reaches the end point of the route, the driver moves from the head to the tail, where there is also a cab, and drives his car in a “reverse course”: the rails in Porto end in a dead end. The most scenic route runs along the ocean coast. From the windows of noisy and old trams you can see fashionable villas, chosen by wealthy people from all over Europe.

Porto, like other Portuguese cities, is distinguished not only by its peculiar architecture, but also by the fact that many houses are lined with multi-colored tiles.

From the early Middle Ages to the 17th century, there was a law that forbade the aristocracy not only to build, but also to stay in the city for more than three days. Even the king did not have his residence in Porto. He stayed at the Bishop's Palace built by Nicolo Nazzoni. It is a masterpiece of 18th century Portuguese Baroque architecture. The port city is located all on the hills, it has many funny houses and streets.

It was also interesting to visit the store and a kind of book museum Livraria Lell - the oldest in Portugal and one of the most incredibly beautiful bookstores in the world. Unusual, simply fabulous interior, which is located on two floors of the store. Spectacular and massive decoration of the walls, ceiling, everything is made of noble wood using original and unusual carvings, combined with the surprisingly curved lines of the red staircase that leads to the second floor. No less impressive is the magnificent ceiling made of expensive stained glass. The bookstore is located five minutes walk from the city center.

This pretty fountain caught our attention.

It is impossible not to mention the visit to Sao Bento train station. In addition to its direct destination, Sao Bento Station is interesting for its wall-paintings, lined with azulejos tiles in white and blue tones. The largest of them is made of 20 thousand tiles and decorates the waiting room. This panel completely occupies one of its walls. The painting depicts episodes from the history of railways, as well as important moments in the history of Portugal.

When leaving Porto, behind the fortress walls, my first meeting with the Atlantic Ocean took place. I go knee-deep into the ocean, the water is quite cool, but you can still take a dip.

Two days in Lisbon

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the country's largest city. 570 thousand people live in it. It is located on the right bank of the Tagus River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its history goes back about 20 centuries. Lisbon was built on seven hills, like Rome and Moscow. Just like Moscow, Lisbon is patronized by George the Victorious. The city became the capital of the state in 1147 after the liberation from Arab colonization. Lisbon owes this to the first king of Portugal, Alfonso Henriquez. The main city of the country was founded by the Phoenicians as a stop at the crossroads of sea routes and named Alis Ubbo - a blessed bay. The city was under the control of the Roman Empire, the Moors, the Spaniards.

We begin our acquaintance with the center of Lisbon - one of the main attractions. In the 18th century, bullfights and public executions took place here. We visit the park of Edward VII and the monument to the Marquis de Pombal. This is a large green meadow with neatly trimmed bushes of the correct geometric shape.

Lisbon is a modern European city located on 15 hills. Walking on it you have to constantly go up and down from the hills. We climb one of the hills, where with the help of a guide we get acquainted with the Moorish fortress of Sant Jorge. Once upon a time, Portuguese kings lived here, and now only a shell with pine groves inside is left of the castle. But this is the highest point of Lisbon and the views from here are appropriate. From the fortress walls you can see a strange structure - openwork frames of arches sticking into the sky. In order to capture the views of the Tagus River and the ancient Alfama district of Lisbon, we walked along the esplanade and climbed the ramparts of the old fortress. The fortress of San Jorge (St. George) has been a fortification covering the mouth of the Tagus River since ancient times. In 1147, King Alphonse Enriques converted the fortress into a royal residence. In 1511, King Manuel I built himself a palace outside the fortress, and here he placed an armory and a prison. During the earthquake of 1755, the fortress was very badly damaged, and only in 1938, under Salazar, the ruins were restored, and only a few details remained, reminiscent of the original Moorish Alcasava, later the royal residence, where Vasco da Gama celebrated the success of his trip to India with pomp. The fortress walls have been restored and now you can walk along them around the old quarter of Santa Cruz. Various exhibitions are arranged in the fortress towers, telling about the history of the fortress and the whole city. The viewpoints offer a magnificent view of Lisbon.

Picturesque streets with houses covered with painted tiles scatter from the fortress in different directions. Benches are carefully placed in the middle of each lift. Most of the streets lead to Alfama - the oldest quarter of Lisbon, which, being built on rocky ground, survived the earthquake without much damage. Here once was the center of the Roman city, and later - the center of the Moorish city. Jews also lived in Alfama until their expulsion in the 16th century. There is nothing reminiscent of the capital city: Alfama is more like a fishing village, where housewives clean fish right on the street and scribble on antediluvian sewing machines, and ropes with linen are tied to orange trees growing right on the steps. Going for a walk in Alfama, tune in to the fact that, most likely, you will get lost - this intricacies of streets practically defies logic.

We go down from the castle on a retro tram running along route No. 28, which resembles the transport of the beginning of the last century, and go on a tour of the city center. We pay tribute to how our tram famously climbs the hills and rushes along the narrow winding streets with a frightening rattle. At one of the moments of the trip, we easily reach the wall of a neighboring house with our hands.

We get off at the bus stop and before us opens an amazing view of the capital. In Lisbon, such observation terraces are called miradores. We found ourselves on the best of them - Miradouro de Santa Luzia. We approach the fence and freeze in admiration. No wonder Lisbon is called the “White City”: in front of us is a whole block of like toy, sun-drenched snow-white houses with orange tiled roofs.

There are many interesting buildings of unusual architecture in the city.

We descend to Commerce Square, which is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Portugal. Here, before the earthquake, there was a royal palace built in 1511 by Manuel I. In its center, on a high plinth, rises an equestrian statue of the reformer king José I, whose minister was the Marquis de Pombal. The majestic Arc de Triomphe, decorated with bas-reliefs and statues of famous people, connecting the square with Augusta Street, was completed in the 19th century. Then the square got its present name "Commerce Square" due to its proximity to the port, which is the main source of trade in the city. From here you have a magnificent view of the Tagus River, to which you can go down the stairs. Two square towers rise from the south side of the square, and buildings of ministries and banks frame the square on three sides.

The next point of our trip is the Belem area. Where the Tagus flows into the ocean, stands the Belem (that is, Bethlehem) watchtower, and a little closer to land rises the monastery of Jeronimos - an excellent example of the main national style - Manueline, that is, Gothic mixed with Arabic script, sea knots and astrolabes. Two world-famous Portuguese are also buried here - Vasco da Gama (who set off from the Belem Tower, setting off in search of an alternative route to India) and Luis Camões. True, only one tomb remained of Camões, the poet himself died of the plague and was buried in some kind of lost common grave.

Nearby is the coffee shop Casa dos Pastéis de Belém, where they make the best sweets in the city, and perhaps in the country.

Next to the monastery is the Bethlehem Tower (Torre de Belen), built in the 16th century, the symbol of Lisbon. This is one of the best examples of the Manueline style, the tower is under the protection of UNESCO. It is decorated with lanterns, openwork Venetian balconies, stone carvings, a statue of the Madonna of the Navigators under a huge canopy and a sculpture of a rhinoceros. From the inside, the tower looks quite gloomy - there used to be a prison here. The quadrangular Belen Tower is known as a monument to the Portuguese Age of Discovery. The tower, built in 1515-1520 and designed in the Manueline style, is a classic symbol of all of Portugal. This tower was erected in honor of the glorious military and maritime past of Portugal and rises on the spot where caravels once set off to distant lands.

Not far from the Tower on the embankment of the Tagus River in the direction of the April 25 Bridge is the Monument to the Navigators.

What is Lisbon remembered for, in addition to its historical sights? First of all, original architecture that combines different styles. We fell in love with its squares and streets, lined with tiles of various configurations and colors. His numerous souvenir shops with all kinds of colored tiles and products from it did not leave indifferent. The city also has one of the largest oceanariums. With pleasure we rode along the famous tram route No. 28 along its steep streets and with no less pleasure - under the ground on the metro in modern cozy carriages, admired the original interior of its stations.

It's time to say goodbye to hospitable Lisbon. We cross one of the longest bridges in Europe. 45 months after the start of work (half a year ahead of schedule), on August 6, 1966, a solemn opening ceremony took place in the presence of the highest officials of the state. The structure was named "Salazar Bridge" in honor of the then dictator of Portugal. Shortly after the Carnation Revolution, the bridge was renamed in honor of the day when this event took place - the April 25 Bridge.

Royal Sintra

In the morning we leave Lisbon and head to Sintra. At 27 km from Lisbon, at the foot of the low coastal mountains of Sierra da Sintra, there is a small town of Sintra, which since 1995 has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Portuguese themselves consider it the main attraction of the country, the pearl of Portugal. Back in the 8th century, the Moors appreciated the defensive significance of this place and built a fortress here. In 1147, Afonso I Henriques drove out the Arabs and for the next 600 years the city was the summer residence of the Portuguese kings.

Among the luxurious parks, centuries-old forests, bewitching landscapes, palaces, castles, monasteries that amaze the imagination rise on the hills.

In the city itself, the National Palace of Sintra is located, and in the adjacent mountainous and forested area on a hill - the Palacio da Pena Palace and the dilapidated Castle of the Moors.

Near the station there is a beautiful city hall.

Before climbing the mountain to the Palacio da Pena Palace, we walk with pleasure in the urban part of Sintra, built up with old mansions. The streets wind whimsically and often end with steep stairs, steps lead to observation terraces, which offer stunning views of the mountains and the ocean. The urban landscape abounds with green forests, exotic flowers and exquisite palaces.

In the city you can find many castles and palaces that have been preserved in their originality. These castles contain an important historical and artistic collection, which attracts Portuguese and foreign artists to the city. Interesting and original are not only castles and palaces, but also houses in this fabulous city.

The proximity of the ocean and the mountain ranges provide humid, cool and slightly windy weather, which is great for relaxing even in very hot summers. That is why, already in the 15th century, the fabulous castle of Palacio da Pena became the summer residence of the royal family of Portugal, which, together with its luxurious park, crowns one of the highest hills of Sintra. Located 450 meters above the city of Sintra, it is one of the most significant examples of Portuguese architecture of the Romantic period. Rising on a rocky hill, it surprisingly harmonizes with the surrounding landscapes, combining lush vegetation and rocky cliffs.

The palace was founded in 1839, when the husband of the Portuguese Queen Maria II, Ferdinand II of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1816-1885), acquired the ruins of the Jerome Monastery and began to rebuild them according to his romantic taste in order to create a summer residence here. In order to realize his fantasies, Ferdinando II turned to a German friend, Baron Eschwege, for help and appointed him the construction manager. And since in the 19th century, romantically minded architects no longer hesitated to mix different styles, the castle, like a three-dimensional puzzle, was assembled from German and Portuguese towers, Moorish arches and courtyards, and Indian domes. And to top it off, they painted it all in bright colors, which delights not only adults, but also children. The whimsically eccentric architecture of the palace combines Moorish, Gothic and Manueline motifs and the spirit of the castles of Central Europe. The palace stands on the top of the mountain, it can be bypassed along the perimeter along a special path. Ferdinand II also built here one of the most spectacular parks in Portugal, which was designed and planted for over 4 years, starting in 1846.

This most beautiful and romantic castle in Portugal is jokingly called "Snow White's Palace" and is often compared to the Bavarian Neuschwanstein. Pena Palace can be reached by bus number 434 from the city center for 4.5 euros, but you can also get on the path on foot.

We climb the rock where the fortress built by the Moors between the 9th and 10th centuries is located. During the capture by the Christians, the fortress surrendered without a fight. After the 15th century, the fortress lost its strategic importance. From above, a wonderful landscape opens: among the sea of ​​greenery, you can see the blue ocean and the white-red roofs of settlements and the capital.

We go down on foot to feel the beauty of the surrounding nature more strongly. The entire slope of the mountain is littered with huge boulders, as after a collapse or rockfall. It is not clear how tall trees can grow on these stones.

I pass by the ruins of an old Moorish fortress - once life was stormy here, and now only dilapidated stone walls remind of its former greatness.

Royal Sintra will forever be remembered as one of the most harmonious places in the world, combining both beautiful landscapes created by Mother Nature and man-made palaces and castles created by talented architects. Lord George Gordon Byron, admiring the beauty of Sintra, called it a paradise, and then forever immortalized the town in the famous poem “Great Paradise”.

The resort towns of Cascais and Estoril

After lunch we head to the westernmost point of Europe - Cape Roca. The path to it runs along the "Portuguese Riviera", with a visit to the resort towns of Cascais and Estoril. Although Lisbon stands on the coast of the ocean, there are no beaches in the city and those who want to plunge into the depths of the sea or just relax on the coast, Lisbon people go to these nearby resort cities. These cities are very nice and cozy.

15 km west of Lisbon is a magnificent resort - Estoril. It has a unique microclimate: warm and sunny summers, moderate temperatures the rest of the year. It is from the resort of Estoril that the tourism industry of Portugal originates. A little over a century ago, the amazing beauty of nature and the mild Atlantic climate attracted the world's elite and representatives of famous aristocratic families to Estoril. Magnificent sandy beaches, clear water and hotels inaccessible to a mere mortal are traditionally in demand among people of considerable income. Fans of outdoor activities will enjoy an incredible variety of water sports activities, including 8 newest water parks, and excellent golf courses.

Her Majesty the Queen of England often rests in Estoril, and the notorious Linda Evangelista has chosen a villa for herself. We pass by the hotel where our first and only President of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, had a rest.

Located just a few kilometers from Estoril and 20 kilometers from Lisbon, Cascais is a typical example of Portuguese architecture with brightly colored tiled roofs and white walls lined with colorful ceramic tiles.

The name Cascais comes from the word cascale - "small stone". The city has a rich historical and architectural ensemble: a history museum, a maritime museum, churches and chapels of the 15th century. There is a monument to Don Pedro in the Central Square.

There are other monuments in the small town as well. We liked this sculptural warrior.

I really liked this unusual pretty bouquet.

A very attractive walk through the upper city with a well-groomed city park and the romantic castle of the Aristocrat.

If you move further from the city along the rocky coast, you will find yourself in Guinsha - the realm of wide dunes with frequent storm winds. This corner of untouched nature is a true paradise for windsurfers. Here is the picturesque cliff of Boca de Infierno (“the mouth of the underworld”): the sea has washed out a hole in the rock, and now “infernal stew” is constantly boiling in these stone jaws.

capeCabo deRoca

The mountain road leads to a cliff from which a dizzying panorama of the ocean and coastal cliffs opens. This is the westernmost point of Europe, Cape Cabo de Roca, which became a tourist attraction only in 1979. Before that, the "end of the world" on the Iberian Peninsula was considered the Spanish Cape Finisterre (lat. "end of the earth"). A rock 140 meters high, like the prow of a ship, protrudes into the ocean. Ignoring the protective barrier, I approach its edge. Standing at the very edge, I listen to the solemn music of the ocean and fill with its energy. Probably, the great Portuguese navigators, standing on the western shores of their native continent and peering into the boundless ocean distances, asked themselves the question: “What is beyond these distances?” and to find the answer to this question they went on long sea voyages.

We overcame here a difficult journey by bus through many European countries from the westernmost point of our native Ukraine, the Transcarpathian city of Chop (48º05′ N, 22º08′ E). We take a photo for memory with our yellow-blue national flag next to a stone stele, on which the coordinates (38º47′ N, 9º30′ W) are carved and the inscription “ Onde a terra acaba e o mar comeca….". Shrouded in mist or illuminated by the bright sun, this place is one and only, where, as the poet Camões said: TOthe earth ends and the ocean begins» , - this is how the words carved on a stone stele sound in translation.

This is a memorial stone.

As evidence of my presence in such a charismatic place, I purchase a personalized certificate from the Cape service center that I really was here. On the reverse side in different languages, including Russian, the following words are written: “ I certify that I was at Cape Roca in Sintra, in Portugal, at the westernmost point of the European continent, at the very edge of the world, “where the earth ends and the ocean begins”, where the Spirit of Faith, Love and a thirst for adventure prompted the Portuguese caravels to set off on their journey to searching for a new world» .

The souvenir shop has a lot of different products about staying in the westernmost point of Europe, especially a lot of souvenirs with drawings on various ceramic products. I choose a fridge magnet in the form of a small ceramic tile with the image of a cape as a memento of visiting this unique place.

But the main thing that we take away from this place is the memories of what the westernmost point of our native European continent looks like. The turquoise smoothness of the Atlantic caresses the eye, and the menacing rocks evoke legends of tragic, unrequited love.

We have reached the extreme point of our native continent, and with this I end my story about the journey through the Iberian Peninsula, my Iberian Romance.

The historical center of Porto is located on the right bank of the Douro River, a few kilometers from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean. The city center has been declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
In the historical center of the city there is a cathedral of the 13th century. - Church of San Francisco (Saint Francis). One of the most striking sights of Porto is the baroque tower of Clerigos - the highest in Portugal - 76 meters or 225 steps. Construction under the guidance of the Italian architect Niccolo Nasoni was started in 1754 and completed in 1763. The House of Music stands out from modern buildings with its unusual shape.

And another very important attraction of Porto are its bridges.

There are many bridges across the Dora that connect Porto with the satellite city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Some of them are unique technological solutions for their time. For example, the Ponte de Dona Maria Pia railway bridge, built in 1876-1877 according to the design of Gustave Eiffel, was one of the first projects that brought its author worldwide fame. Later, the same technological solutions were used by Eiffel in the construction of the Statue of Liberty (1884-1886) and the Eiffel Tower (1889). Another unique building for its time was the two-level metal bridge Ponte de Don Luis, built in 1881-1886 according to the project of Eiffel's student and companion Theophilus Seyrig.
It was built according to the project of the student and companion of Gustave Eiffel Theophile Seyrig in 1886. Named after King Luis I.


Ponte de Don Luis is a kind of symbol of the city of Porto. His image can often be found on the labels of local port wine.
The bridge has a length of 385.25 m and weighs 3045 tons, while the length of the arched span is 172 m, and its height is 44.6 m.


Straight ahead is the Kliregush tower.




In front of us is the Church of Do Carmo. This very pretty temple in the architectural spirit of classicism and baroque was erected in the middle of the 18th century by the architect José Fgueiredo Seikas. The stone facade is decorated with sculptures of the prophets Elijah and Elisha and statues of the four evangelists by the Italian Baroque master Nicolau Nasoni. Another notable part of the decor is a huge mosaic canvas of pale blue color depicting scenes of the founding of the Carmelite Order.


































Porto was the first city in the Iberian Peninsula to have a tram service. In Porto and Lisbon, there are such small trams. Others simply will not turn around in the narrow streets of cities.


















The Clerigos Church was built by the architect Nicola Nasoni between 1732 and 1750. The church was erected specifically for the brotherhood of Clerics. Over time, the architect himself joined the Brotherhood, and after his death rests in the church crypt.
The Clerigos Tower is located behind this church, but was not included in the frame from this angle.






Church and Tower of Clerigos.






The monument to Pedro IV, the first king of Brazil and Portugal, is located on Liberty Square in the city center.


Monument to the paperboy












































The majestic and beautiful Cathedral of Se in Porto rises above the city. This is the oldest cathedral in Porto, built in the Romanesque style.
The cathedral was erected as a fortress and the whole city was built around it.
The most valuable thing in the cathedral is its altar, on which 800 kg of silver was used. A wonderful courtyard with azulejos, a large square with a magnificent observation deck, where there are viewing binoculars to admire the red roofs of the houses and the Douro River.

An interesting feature of postal addresses in Porto is that they do not have house numbers. The names of the streets, as a rule, are not written on the houses either, only at the beginning and at the end of the street. And it happens that just at the beginning of the street there is a column with a sign on which its name is written. All. It is not mentioned anywhere else.
Along the street, not houses are numbered, but front doors - entrance doors. End-to-end numbering along the entire street. You can see it in this picture - the numbers above the doors. Further, the address will read, for example: second floor, 1st apartment on the right.
And nothing, they find.
There was a case. We took a taxi and went to look at the ocean (it is 7 km from the city), namely, at sunset - how beautifully the sun sets into the sea. They let the taxi go, admired the sunset, and then decided to walk to the hotel on foot and got lost. When we tried to orient ourselves on the map, where we were, it turned out that it was completely impossible to do this. We decided that it would be better for us to look not for the place of our current location, but immediately for our hotel. Again, a bummer - the Portuguese, very friendly people, waving their arms, enthusiastically told us the way, but following the narration in Portuguese and taking advice, as it turned out, is also unrealistic. Meanwhile, things were moving towards evening, even towards night, and the question of returning home became acute. It's impossible to catch a taxi just like that - you have to call to the specified address. We saw a ballet school, went to the "light" to ask them to call us a taxi to their address (at least they know it).
It ended up that one of the ballerinas took us to the hotel in her car. Looking out the car window at the road, we realized that we ourselves would not have reached there in life, and upon arrival at the hotel there were no people happier than us.






A characteristic feature of Portuguese architecture is the tiling of buildings. This is not only beautiful, but also very useful - in summer, tiles protect houses from heat, in the off-season - from dampness. Houses in Portugal most often do not have heating, so in all seasons the laundry is dried on the street.


In this photo we see the exit to the embankment of the Douro River. I will show it in another post, and at the same time we will ride on a boat on it.


On the left is the Cathedral of St. Francis, on the right is the Bolsa Palace. The Palace of Bolsa is the Stock Exchange and also a place to come to admire the palace interiors, created by the local architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Juniordla in the middle of the 19th century for ordinary merchants. Now it is a kind of museum, where the exhibits: various sculptures, frescoes, paintings, furniture, dishes and others are specially selected and fit into the interiors of the halls. So, the Arab Hall with golden arabesques, the Courtyard of Nations under an octagonal glass dome, the Tribunal Hall, the Assembly Hall, the Golden Hall and the stairs made of granite and marble look the most attractive. Debited from the Internet, because we did not go inside. Well, maybe one of the readers will be interested and visit.

Porto. City `s history.

Porto, the second largest city in Portugal with 500,000 inhabitants, gave its name not only to port wine, but to the whole country. Once on the left bank of the Douro was the Roman settlement of Portus (Latin for "harbour"), and on the right - Calais (Greek "kalos" - beautiful). According to the names of these villages, the Moors began to call the country between the Douro and Minho - Portucale. After the expulsion of the Arabs in the 11th century, the Christian county of Portucalia arose here, which later became the kingdom of Portugal.

Porto has always lived for trade. In 1050, it became the most important economic center in the north of the country; in the 13th and 14th centuries, it maintained maritime trade relations with England, Flanders, and the cities of the Hansa.

Close relations with England, on whose support the king counted in the fight against the hostile Castile, were strengthened by the Treaty of Windsor in 1386 and the marriage of King Juan I with the Englishwoman Philip de Lencastre, held in the cathedral in Porto. In 1394, their son was born in Porto, who later became Henry the Navigator.

English merchants who traded in colonial goods such as tobacco and sugar have long felt at home in Porto. Even today, British influence remains in the city, the roots of which are in the infamous enslaving treaty with England in 1703. This treaty opened up the English market for Portuguese wines and gave English merchants a monopoly on the sale of port wine. Until now, some of the major producers of port wine have English names.

In contrast to Lisbon, the tone in Porto has always been set by the urban merchant elite. From the early Middle Ages until the 17th century, there was a law that forbade aristocrats to build palaces here and generally stay in the city for more than three days. Even the king did not have his residence in Porto and lived as a guest in the Bishop's Palace. The city succeeded in wresting many civil liberties from the bishop, but resistance to the Lisbon authorities was, of course, unsuccessful. For example, a protest against a wine trading company founded by the Marquis de Pombal was suppressed by force, and Governor General João de Almada was sent to Porto. However, he himself and his son Francisco did a lot of good for the city. It is to them that Porto owes the success of the work on the improvement and expansion of the city in the second half of the 18th century.

In the 19th century, Porto was a stronghold of liberal forces whose activities led to the overthrow of the monarchy. Here in 1822 the first constitution was proclaimed. In Porto, the first, albeit unsuccessful, uprising of the Republicans took place. The dictatorial regime of Salazar from the very beginning did not enjoy any popularity in this city.

Now Porto is an industrial center, and its Leixoes harbor is the second largest port in Portugal. Citizens are distinguished by their diligence and unpretentiousness. Every Portuguese knows the saying: "In Lisbon they go out, they work in Porto, they study in Coimbra, and they pray in Braga."

The ancient city, which gave the name to the whole country, is incredibly beautiful and attractive. You can wander for a long time through the labyrinths of narrow streets and look at the multi-colored houses that have survived from past eras, reminiscent of toys. It seems to the guests of the colorful pearl of Portugal that time has stopped here. The city, which has seen a lot in its lifetime, only gets better every year.

A bit of history

The first mention of Porto dates back to the 5th century. Roman troops founded a port, which they called Portus Cale (Porto Cale). The Moors, who occupied the territory, destroyed all the buildings erected by the soldiers. The year 982 is marked by the fact that the settlement becomes Christian, and by order of the Duke of Burgundy, a majestic cathedral is erected.

The city was officially founded in 1123, after which it flourished and became an important economic center of the country. A major port is the main trading hub for all of Europe. Even in ancient times, it was famous for its delicious wine - port, which has become a landmark drink of the state.

The unusual city of Porto, which has preserved many historical monuments that silently tell about its rich history, is the center of the district and municipality of the same name. Located 270 kilometers from Lisbon, it is full of attractions under the protection of UNESCO.

When is the best time to visit Porto?

The weather in the city is determined by the Gulf Stream - the warm current of the Atlantic. In winter, the average temperature is 15 degrees, and in summer the air warms up to 25, and only a light breeze can bring coolness. The largest number of travelers to the ancient city of Porto takes from June to September, when the weather is conducive to swimming in the sea.

In February, the city hosts a fun and noisy carnival, so you should book tickets for this month in advance. And lovers of theatrical performances rush here in September, when the best troupes of the world, including from Russia, come on tour.

Museum city

Tourists love to walk along the narrow streets and enjoy the spirit of freedom that the charming Porto (Portugal) is saturated with. Detailed information about the beautiful town will allow everyone to navigate it well, so it is recommended to purchase a map of the cultural center of the country. It seems to guests that a beautiful ship, consisting of ancient houses located in the rocks, proudly sails out of the turquoise water.

The cozy city, in which modern buildings are harmoniously combined with old ones, is full of unique sights that evoke a sense of admiration among tourists. Medieval buildings, looking mysterious in the rays of sunset, fascinate with mystical beauty. The unique city of Porto (Portugal) with its diverse architecture is more reminiscent of an ethnographic museum than an ordinary settlement.

Historical Center

Sprawled on the hills near the mouth of the Douro River, which has nourished vines for many centuries, charming Porto delights tourists at first sight. The city center, perfectly preserved to this day, is very compact, and it is best to get acquainted with it by wandering along the paved streets, which often turn into steep stairs. It is recommended to start your acquaintance with the birthplace of first-class port wine from a lively and filled with a special atmosphere.

City Cathedral

The Cathedral of Se (Sé), an unusual lead-gray hue, is located at the very top of the hill and is visible from anywhere in the city. Erected not only as a church, but also as a fortress, it was rebuilt several times and lost the features of a single architectural style. The external appearance of the impregnable religious landmark is severe and at the same time beautiful. The main decoration of the cathedral is an expensive altar made of pure silver. The Romanesque rose on the façade, the covered baroque gallery, the Gothic courtyard, and the gloomy interior make an indelible impression on the visitors of the sanctuary-fortress.

In June, the city of Porto (Portugal) gathers a huge number of parishioners who come from different parts of the country for the feast of St. Antonio.

Palacio da Episcopale

Near the cathedral is the Bishop's Palace, which stands out among other magnificent buildings with a 60-meter facade. Proudly towering over low buildings, the historic landmark has been rebuilt several times. Such outstanding dimensions reflect the role of the bishop during the Middle Ages. The modern look of the luxurious building, built in the Baroque style, is the result of the reconstruction of the 18th century, which was carried out by the chief architect of Portugal, Nasoni.

The architect of Italian origin left behind many great monuments, including the museum of the republican poet Guerra Junqueiro, located near the cathedral.

Exchange Palace

Palácio da Bolsa is considered the main gem of the Old Town. Two centuries ago it was the residence of the commercial elite of the city, and now the building houses a museum with a collection of paintings and sculptures. In one of the halls of the palace, the heads of state, arriving in the city of Porto on an official visit, meet.

Rua Santa Catarina

The main pedestrian street, Rua de Santa Catarina, which is more than a kilometer long, is home to a huge number of fashion boutiques, luxurious restaurants and beautiful Art Nouveau buildings. The commercial heart of the city is one of the main attractions of Porto. On a bustling street near the train station, life comes to a standstill on Sunday, as all the shops are closed. It is at this time that you can see the unique facades of ancient buildings of past eras.

Bairo da Se

A walk around Porto is not complete without visiting the poorest quarter of the city. The colorful Bairro da Sé with its intricate labyrinth of small streets is of particular interest to tourists. Gloomy alleys resembling courtyards, hanging clothes on colorful balconies, crowded colorful houses seem to take guests back several centuries. The poor of the region have always lived in the port, and when it was moved to the open ocean in the 60s of the last century, their life, established over the years, began to decline. True, recently Bairro da Se received the status of a protected zone, which will help renovate the old houses of the poor. There is a certain magic in these dilapidated buildings, never restored, and rickety wooden shutters, riddled with cracks.

Ribeira

The sights of the vibrant city of Porto (Portugal) are so diverse and numerous that it is impossible to see them even in a week. However, one cannot help but plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, which hovers in the picturesque Ribeira district. It is noisy here from morning until late at night, and numerous cozy taverns, taking out tables to the parapet, receive cheerful visitors. The promenade, located on the banks of the Douro, consists of galleries of streets, courtyards, coffee terraces. Despite the fact that this is a residential area, it looks like a real open-air museum.

Multi-colored multi-storey buildings, some of which have already undergone restoration, are so close to each other that they touch with balconies. The facades of the buildings are lined with colored azulejo tiles, and it seems that the ancient walls are decorated with shiny stone scales. Night-time entertainment facilities bring time-honored structures to life, while small boats moored along the waterfront add color to the area.

Ponte de D. Louis

In the ancient coastal area is the famous bridge of Luis I, which connects the city of Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, from where you can admire the amazing panorama of the ancient capital of Portugal. The steel arch structure, which is part of the historic center, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most beautiful bridge, consisting of two spans, was designed by a student of the famous Eiffel. A metro line is laid along the upper one, and the lower one is intended for motorists and pedestrians.

Museu Romantico

In the house where King Carlo Alberto lived, a curious museum of Romanticu was founded. After the death of the royal person, the personal belongings of the ruler are stored on the upper floors, and the port wine institute (Solar Vinho do Porto) is located on the first floor, where visitors can taste more than 150 brands of fine wine.

What else to visit in the city?

The aristocratic cafe Majestic is an unusual establishment that tells the modern history of the port city. Once upon a time, public figures and the country's creative elite gathered here, and now the local attraction is adored for its luxury and unique atmosphere.

Not leaving anyone indifferent, Porto, whose sights tell about a long history, will allow each guest to ride in an old tram lined with wood and enjoy the view of the Atlantic Ocean from the window.

Of course, having visited the birthplace of port wine, you definitely need to get to the distilleries, most of which are located near the Ribeira quarter. On excursions, visitors will learn the intricacies of making "porto", see huge wine barrels and taste the best varieties of port wine.

Located in the city center, the Livraria bookstore will appeal to even those who are not very fond of reading. An unusual interior with amazing stained-glass windows, wooden steps, glass shelves delights tourists who have arrived in the fantastically beautiful city of Porto. The country of Portugal has recently become famous all over the world after the statement by the writer D. Rowling that it was the Livraria bookstore that became the prototype of the Hogwarts magical school. And now, many visitors who adore Mr. Potter are charged for admission, but the flow of tourists does not dry out.

A fabulous city where you want to return again, fascinates with its unique beauty. Hospitable Porto, which you need to walk around so as not to miss a single architectural monument, will please gourmets, shopaholics, connoisseurs of good wine, theater-goers and everyone who likes to have a fun and educational vacation.