Porto
Porto
- Nestling in a deep gorge, Porto is implausibly picturesque,
particularly its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To
get the lie of the land, climb the 240 steps of the Torre dos
Clérigos, an 18th-century tower designed by Italian architect
Nicolau Nasoni. From here you can see everything from the Romanesque
cathedral, or Sé, on its bluff in the east to the pretty
beach at Foz do Douro, where the river runs into the Atlantic.
On the south bank in Gaia, port wine lodges offer guided tours.
Down below, beyond a patchwork of red rooftops, the neo-classical
Palácio da Bolsa dates to 1842. The glass-domed former
stock exchange has a neo-Moorish ballroom that took 18 years
to build and is gilded with 40 pounds of gold. The fortress-like
Cathedral commands the Old Town. Founded in the early 12th century,
rebuilt in the 13th and again in the 18th, offers fine views
from both chapterhouse and courtyard. From here, a series of
narrow, steep streets cascade down to the waterfront Ribeira
district. Porto is proud to be known as the city of work. Actually,
its inhabitants have always been in the front line to defend
national causes and greatly contributed to the Discoveries as
well as to the regions's economic development as one of the
most dynamic areas in the country's entrepreneurial tissue.
The roughness of hard work, however, is counter-balanced by
the honest and hospitable spirit of its people. The dynamism
of the Porto population reveals their passion for simple things,
which gives them an authentic and respectable image.
Local Places of Interest and Activities
Palacio da Bolsa – Where the monastery
of Sao Francisco once stood the city merchants built the stock
exchange or Bolsa in 1842. The Tribunal do Comercio, where Porto’s
mercantile law was upheld, is full of historical interest and
has a small picture gallery. The glittering highlight is the
Arabian Room, a galleried salon with blue and gold arabesques
inspired by Granada’s Alhambra.
Torre dos Clérigos – The church
and tower are an unmistakable landmark. Built in the 18th century,
the tower complements the churc. At 246 ft is remains one of
the tallest buildings in Portugal. The dizzying 240 step climb
is worth it for the superb views of the river, coastline and
the Douro Valley.
Vila Nova de Gaia - The bustling suburb of
Vila Nova da Gaia lies opposite Porto on the steep south bank
of the mighty River Douro. Gaia today is dominated by the Port
wine lodges, with over fifty wine companies based in its narrow,
twisting streets. Here, the ageing and blending of most of the
world's supply of Port wine takes place beneath a sea of red
roofs emblazoned with some of the most famous names in winemaking.
A tour of the cellars is a must for any visitor to Vila Nova
da Gaia, followed by a wine-tasting. One of the best-organised
lodges is Sandeman, founded in 1790 and housed in a former 16th-century
convent with a small museum. Taylor's, one of the last privately-owned
English wine companies, offers a lively, informative tour of
the premises and impressive views from its spacious outdoor
terrace.
Aveiro - Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro
is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons and dominated
by the Central Canal running through town. Famous for its moliceiros,
typical fishing boats with gaily painted prows, Aveiro was once
a busy and prosperous port town several centuries ago. The silting
up of the entrance to the harbour by deposits brought down by
the River Vouga, combined with a build-up of sand from the sea,
meant that by the end of the 17th century, following some exceptionally
rough seas, the port became landlocked. In 1808, a successful
attempt was made to pierce an entrance to the sand-bar, but
it is unlikely that Aveiro will ever become a major port again.
What to see: Aveiro's main museum, housed in the former Jesus
Monastrey, is full of mementoes of King Afonso V's daughter,
Santa Joana, who died here in 1490. Within short walking distance
stands the city's 15th century São Domingos cathedral
and the Carmelite Church, decorated with paintings depicting
the life of St Teresa. Also worth seeing is the Misericórdia
Church, which dates back to the 16th century.
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