Old Porto (Porto Historic Center)
Northern Region of Portugal
Porto cod. Port wine. The Capital of the North
World Heritage: One of the best destinations in Europe and the World
Porto: Best City Destination in the World at the World Travel Awards 2022
With its Historic Center declared
World Heritage by Unesco,
Porto,
second most important city in Portugal,
European Capital of Culture, was also chosen
Best European Destination 2017 and
Best City Destination in the World, by
World Travel Awards 2022.
Calçada de Vandoma and Porto Cathedral, Historic Center, City of Porto, Porto © Google Earth Pro
Porto Historic Center
The
Porto Historic Center, formed around Morro da Sé, concentrates the main tourist attractions of the city.
It corresponds to the area classified as
World Heritage by Unesco in 1996.
Grand panorama
"A masterpiece of human creativity, in the harmonious articulation of the streets with the surrounding space and in particular with the
Douro River and
Vila Nova de Gaia, presents a visual unity that gives it one of its most important aspects, the panoramic nature" [Unesco Portugal].
"Built on rough terrain in a happy articulation of the organic layout of streets and houses with the reference river,
the
Historic Center acquires a unique panoramic value, reinforced by the profusion of monuments such as the
Patriarchal Cathedral,
the
Igreja de Santa Clara or the building of the
Bolsa" [Cultural Heritage].
Ribeira do Porto and Porto Cathedral, Historic Center, Porto © Visit Porto, illustration
Old Port
In the
Porto Historic Center are the most emblematic historic buildings of
Porto.
Starting with the
Sé do Porto, a medieval cathedral built between the 12th and 13th centuries, therefore being a
of the oldest in Portugal.
Porto Cathedral
The
Sé (Cathedral) of Porto, is located in the
Terreiro da Sé, on top of a hill;
it was built like a fortress. It underwent several modifications in the following centuries. Gothic cloisters (14th century),
the tiles and various sacred works are the highlights that make this temple worth visiting. In
Terreiro da Sé,
the
Pelourinho in Manueline style is also worth mentioning.
Find out more: The
Porto Cathedral
Portugal started here
Porto, with its rich history and unique heritage, is historically linked to the birth of
of Portugal (Portucalense County). "In addition to its patrimonial value, it is interesting to discover in Porto its strong
urban personality and its unique human character" [Visit Portugal].
Find out more: A
A bit of history
Pelourinho, Terreiro da Sé do Porto, Centro Histórico, Porto © Google Earth Pro
Reasons to Visit Porto
There are many reasons to choose
Oporto City to start your trip through Europe and start
your tour through our
Porto Guide!
The city of Porto, in addition to a lot of rich history, is one of the locomotives of Portugal. Visit this important destination in the lands
of the north, a place of hospitable people, is a guarantee of successful holidays and many discoveries.
In his classic book
O Minho Pitoresco (1886-1887), José Augusto Vieira presents the city of
Porto as follows:
"Giving the name to the bright
ancient homeland gave, with blood, freedom to the beloved modern homeland. Son, no one gave more to his mother; nor is there such excellent quality, that it can be worth
the last.
Tips for Visiting Porto
For a more impressive discovery of the city of
Porto it is advisable to book at least two days
of tours. One of these would involve walking through the streets of the lower part of the city and its granite houses - the
Downtown Porto - and another would include a ride on the
tram (electric bus) through the
banks of the
Douro River or a
boat trip under its six bridges.
Historical and Cultural Heritage
With its
Historic Center classified
World Heritage, cradle of the nationality
Portuguese (the
Portucalense County), a rich and varied historical, religious and cultural heritage, the
Cidade do Porto is a must-visit during your stay in Portugal.
Learn more:
Porto tourist attractions
View of the Terreiro da Sé in Porto, Historic Center, Porto © Google Earth Pro
Port and Wine
With its name associated with the famous wine for centuries,
Porto attracts thousands of visitors, whether on vacation or on a business trip, who
here they discover its charms and secrets.
Have you already tasted this famous wine straight from the barrel? This is a privilege reserved for few visitors. This and many others, the visitor will discover
follow the paths that lead to the
Douro.
See
Douro Litoral Region.
Codfish and Gastronomy
It is almost impossible to talk about
Porto without mentioning
Bacalhau Porto, one of the most
icons of the region, which also crossed the seas and had its name associated with the city, like its wine. Prepared
in many ways and fashions,
Gadus morhua is one of the basic ingredients of traditional cuisine and
Portuguese cuisine.
Find out more:
Traditional Portuguese cuisine
Bacalhau, one of the most popular typical dishes of Porto © Illustration
Dynamic city
The dynamism of its people makes the city of
Porto - Metropolis of the
Northern Region, capital of the
Porto District,
of the
Council of Porto and the former
Douro Litoral Region - ever
be ahead when it comes to entrepreneurship and innovation.
Medieval Porto is the foundation of the city of Porto. And it all started on
Morro da Sé, from where you could see, down there,
the
Douro River. "It was enough to go to the
Castrum novum of the Romans, on the site of Penaventosa, today the old quarter of the Cathedral, to establish a
guarantee, perhaps still debatable, but already sustainable, as legitimate, of the antiquity of Porto. It was there, when perhaps this castro was already a ruin, that the
Suevi, the true settlers of the city, came to settle fifteen centuries ago, boldly fortifying the castle, and opening the bitesgas and alfurjas
do Burgo, to which they gave such rapid development, that within a few years it became the seat of a Catholic bishopric" (José Augusto Vieira, O Minho picturesque,
P. 697).
More...
It was elevated to a diocese by the Romans, suffered domination by the Visigoths and the Moors. At the end of the 9th century it was reconquered by
Vímara Peres.
First Walls
The first belt of city walls was built (from 1108 to 1110) by the archbishop of Braga, D. Gonçalo Pereira. Roughly speaking, it included the castle, "whose
keep or citadel, strengthened by battlements and loopholes, was for a long time the old church of the Cathedral" (José A. Vieira), descended to the east by the Stairs of the
Codeçal to the bank of the Douro. This section of wall still exists in perfect condition. From there, it cut west to Largo da Ribeira. Then climb to
northeast along what is now Rua dos Mercadores to Portas de Santa Anna. It continued along Rua da Bainharia and ended at the Porta de Nossa Senhora de Vendome.
"Here is the primitive
city of Porto, which was not the tenth part of
Alfama, the Arab city of Lisbon" (José Augusto Vieira, O Minho
picturesque, p. 700).
Port wine, the most emblematic product of the City of Porto © Illustration
Porto influence
On the left bank of the
Douro River,
Porto radiates its influence far beyond regional borders.
Porto and Wine - With its name for centuries associated with the famous wine,
Porto attracts thousands of visitors,
on vacation or on a business trip, which
here they discover its charms and secrets.
Have you already tasted this famous wine straight from the barrel? This is a privilege reserved for few visitors. This and many others, the visitor will discover
follow the paths that lead to the
Douro. See
Douro Litoral Region.