Travel Guide to Porto, Portugal

During the time of the Romans, Porto had the name of Portus Cale (in Latin it means 'a warm port') and was the most important city of the country. Porto takes it place on the both banks of the river Douro and is connected with a marvelous bridge. The historical center of Porto has a very special atmosphere and busy life, almost everywhere you have an opportunity to try famous port. Porto has always been known first of all as a working city, but for the last time it's quickly changing into a cultural center of the country.

Ribeira. During the time of the Romans around Porto a huge city wall was created, in the 14th century another wall was built around the Cathedra. Nowadays this double wall is partially ruined, but you still can look at some of its elements, which have left untouched. One of the best places for it is a located on the bank of the Douro area - Ribeira. This area is full of steep streets with ancient houses of pastel colors, narrow and dark alleyways, small yards and coffee terraces. Ribeira is more likely to be an open-aired museum of Portuguese culture, than a residential area. Front of the most of the houses are faced with colorful slabs. Even tablets are made with the decoration from such slabs.

Praca da Ribeira. Praca da Ribeira is a small cozy square with an original art object in the centre – The Cube by Jose Rodriguez. Despite the chaotic location of the streets, it's very difficult to get lost in this area: if to go downwards all the time, you'll surely get to de Cais da Ribeira. At this quay you'll find a lot of bars, cafes, restaurants and gift shops. There are some ancient ships that were used for port transporting. Nowadays they are used for touristic river excursions. Football fans would get real pleasure from visiting Chez Lapin Restaurant, which is a popular place with football players of FC Porto. In evenings the quay of the Douro is covered with those, who can't do without rich nightlife.

The Se Cathedral. The Se Cathedral was built in the 12th-13th centuries in the Roman style, but with time a lot of baroque elements appeared. The cathedral was built on the base of the old fortress, located on the Penha Ventosa hill. It becomes clear if to look at the cogged walls of the cathedral. Such outlook is connected with the necessity in defense from the Moslems: the south of Portugal used to belong to the Moors, who followed Islam. The building works lasted till the 19th century, that's why the cathedral complex is a fantastic mixture of various architectural styles. For example, the Joao Gordo Chapel has gothic style. Decorated with the apostil's figures gravestone is supported by 4 lions.

Inside the cathedral takes place the marble altar with wooden columns, covered with gold. In the chapel of Holy Communion one can look at the fabulous silver icon. Shine of the jewelry creates an impression, that the icon is moving. You should also pay your attention to the wall-paintings. Art objects are collected in the treasury (Tesouro da Se). Besides the ornaments and other decorations of the 14th-18th centuries, you may find the silver works and ancient books. Not far from the cathedral takes place the cloister of the 14th century. Its corridor is well decorated with enameled tiles of the 18th century. The ties describe the Maria's life and plots from 'Metamorphoses' by Ovidius. At the square in front of the cathedral the pillory with a crown on the top is situated.

The Church St Francisco. Along with the Cathedral, the Franciscan Church of St Francisco shocks with the combination of various architectural styles. Primordially it was a gothic church, what you can notice at its rear, but with time some baroque elements appeared. The church was built in the 14th-15th centuries. In the 16th century a baptismal chapel was added. It was projected by Diego del Castillio. Its altar is decorated with an icon that tells about the christening of Jesus.

The Church is first of all famous for its wooden fretwork. Such traditional for baroque style decoration is almost everywhere: cherubs, saints, animals and flowers can be seen at the ceilings, naves, along windows and columns. Because of such quantity of fretwork, mostly covered with tinsel, the building itself gets lost in this luxury. This frivolous decoration contrasts a lot with the ideals, preached by the Minorites, so the clergy decided not to use the church for praying. In the left nave takes place Jesus' genealogical tree.

Port as a symbol. Porto is famous all over the world first of all as the motherland of port. The city has more than 40 distilleries, which produce one of the best drinks – port. Most of them are located in the area in front of Ribeira on the other bank of the Douro. There are some excursions to the wine-cellars of one of the most famous companies – Calem. There one can learn a lot about the history and the process of port production. You'll have an opportunity to look at the enormous 60 000- liter woods, to walk along these rows and in the end some degustation will be organized.

Read more about Porto:
Restaurants and cuisine in Porto
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Porto
Preparing for Porto: Advices
Porto photogallery