Porto: Attractions and Travel Guide

Terreiro da SéConstructed in the 12th century in the Romanesque style, it shows influences of the Limousin region of France and the Coimbra school. The vestry, the cloisters, and the chapel of João Gordo - with the notable tomb of the founder - date from the gothic period. On the outside wall of the northern tower, a bas-relief depicts a 14th-century vessel, showing the importance of the city's maritime vocation. On one of the buttresses of the southern tower two measures can be seen, cut into the stone, the sole remaining vestiges of the medieval fair, which used to take place in front of the Cathedral.

Rua de S. Sebastião
The tower of the Town-Hall, built in the 14th and 15th centuries, was one of the most important buildings in the upper side of the city. The town meetings were held here until the mid-fifteen hundreds. Then, the building began to decay due to having been built on top of the wooden foundations of the old medieval wall.

House in Beco dos Redemoinhos
This is one of the most perfect examples of the civil architecture from the early 14th century. The façade, half-hidden behind the chancel of the Cathedral, formerly overlooked a lively square of the borough and is now limited to the west by the missing niche of the Cathedral.

Largo de Vandoma
Only a few fragments remain of the first wall girdling the Morro da Sé and these are partly hidden by a group of houses. The Primitive Wall was probably built during the Roman Empire and rebuilt during the 12th century. The main entrance into the borough - the "Porta de Vandoma" - was on the north side between the present Sé Terrace and Rua Chã. One of the most significant signs of the wall is still visible at the top of Avenida Afonso Henriques. On the still existing fortifications there used to be a gothic house whose southern wall is presently part of the structure that houses the regional offices of the Associação dos Arquitectos Portugueses (Portuguese Architects Association). Archaeological ruins of the primitive settlement were discovered on this site and were subsequently preserved.

Largo 1º de Dezembro
The construction of the convent of Santa Clara dates from the first half of the 15th century. It underwent several changes in the Modern Age, when the beautiful Renaissance portal was built. The church still maintains its original gothic structure while its interior is covered with gilt carvings.

Ferdinand Wall: Guindais section
The second city wall was started around 1336 and concluded in 1376. It had a length of 3000 paces and an average height of 30 feet. The wall had many doors that were defended by several towers. The Santa Clara cloth, restored in the 1920s, clearly depicts the daring of its execution.

Barredo Tower
Number 5, Rua de Baixo represents the oldest surviving example of the medieval civil architecture in the Barredo block. Its construction dates back to the 13th century.

Cais da Estiva
The only surviving gate of the 14th-century wall linked the Estiva quay to Rua da Fonte Taurina. The steps that led to the higher part of the wall can be seen on the inside. There used to be an inscription alluding to the mooring of the boats. Today, it is kept in a museum.

Rua da Alfândega
This is the building where, according to legend, Henry the Navigator was born. Built in 1325 for the Royal Customs and the accommodation of its officials, it was annexed to the Mint at the end of the 14th century. It underwent large transformations in 1677 and it served as Customhouse until the 19th century, when the new Customhouse was built.

Rua do Infante D. Henrique
Numbers 47 to 53 on Rua Infante D. Henrique display on their façade the coat of arms of D. João I. In 1402 the King yielded this building to the merchants and the first traders exchange of the city was founded. A passage was opened leading from the ground floor to the Mint. The medieval structure can still be seen on the inside.

House in Rua da Reboleira
Building number 59 on Rua da Reboleira was probably built in the 14th century and has kept almost intact its original tower house structure. The interiors of neighbouring buildings show traces of other medieval dwellings.

Rua do Infante D. Henrique
The presence of the Mendicant Orders in the city dates from the first half of the 12th century, when the construction of the monasteries of São Francisco and, later, São Domingos was begun. The walls of these convents enclosed the whole area comprised between the Praça do Infante, the Mercado Ferreira Borges, and the Rua do Comércio do Porto. Of the old convents, only one building remains, the Church of the Franciscan Friars with its three naves. Crypts belonging to members of some important medieval families can be found inside. Also worthy of notice is the mural of Nossa Senhora da Rosa. The church is also known for its remarkable baroque carvings.

Ferdinand Wall: Caminho Novo section
One of the most monumental sections of the 14th-century wall runs the length of the stairs of the Caminho Novo. It extends between rows of houses, along Rua Francisco da Rocha Soares, where one of the "cubelos" or covered sheds can still be seen over the roofs. The wall only surfaces again next to Cordoaria gardens on the inside of a café where signs of the tower and the gate of Olival can be seen.

Confraria do Espírito Santo Hospital
Miragaia was an old centre for fishermen and sailors and in medieval times the main suburb of Porto. The most important shipyards of the city were located on its shores, where the new Customhouse was later built. The church of São Pedro de Miragaia dates from the Middle Ages but it no longer retains its medieval structure. Above and behind the church, the Chapel of the Brotherhood of Mariners, whose north wall is made up of parts of the old Espírito Santo Hospital, can be seen. The Museum of the Brotherhood (Museu da Confraria) is worth visiting. A triptych frothe 16th century and one of the reliquaries of São Pantaleão can be seen there.

Rua da Boa Nova
Mentioned in documents from the 15th century, the tower belonged to Pedro Sem, chancellor of King Afonso IV. It became the property of the Brandão family, who later sold it to the Porto's Mitre.

Largo do Priorado
Located on the outskirts of the borough, it gave rise to a hamlet that, in the 19th century, became integrated in the city. The origins of the temple are ancient, probably dating back to the Visigothic period. It was rebuilt in the Romanesque style and its chancel was consecrated in 1087. The work continued into the 12th century. Worthy of notice is the Agnus Dei on the tympanum of the northern portal. Made of granite, baroque, romantic, reflected in the river... this is Porto. But, for whoever wants to discover it, Porto holds many surprises. Alongside its hospitable nature which preserves tradition, there is a contemporary, creative city.The signs of this “savoir faire” are found in streets, literature, architecture, monuments, arts, restaurants, and in commercial and leisure areas.Find out for yourself how tradition and modernity can live in harmony.Come and savour the culture and charm of this vintage Port, wandering through this ancient city that looks forward to the future.

Landmarks and Historic sites (6)
Museums (4)
Streets, Squares and Neighbourhoods (1)
See also Tours (2)
Parks and gardens (1)
Nature and sport (1)

Other Attractions Portugal:

Vila Nova de Gaia (About 1.7 mi) - Vila do Conde (About 15.7 mi) - Braga (About 29.3 mi)

More information Portugal:

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