Exploring new places most certainly has shifted my view of the world. I’m going to go as far as to say that the need to explore is deeply etched in my DNA.
Oporto, or Porto for short, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is a mere 50km from the Spanish border and has a rich and colourful history. So much so that UNESCO proclaimed the central part of Porto a World Heritage site in 1996. It is also the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.
Discovered by the Celts around 300BC, this coastal city is situated in the north-western part of Portugal on the banks of the majestic, nearly 900km long Douro River.
The Douro Valley is best known as a 2 000-year-old port-producing industry. but the region also produces some of the best smoked hams and spicy chorizos my taste buds have ever tasted. Pairing it with the region’s love of bacalhao (dried and salted cod), it becomes a culinary feast for all senses.
Porto differs significantly from its rival city, Lisbon. The latter is known as the city of the seven hills whereas Porto is best known as the city of bridges. With its red-tiled roofs, old-world charm, and unparalleled uniqueness, the city captivates every visitor that set foot on its soil.
Porto was initially called Cale by the Celts, but once invaded by the Romans Portus was added to the name. Soon enough it became a leading commercial city because of the excellent port that provided a window to the region. Whilst the old part of the city is a maze of narrow streets and ancient architecture with a true Portuguese character the new part is known for its plazas, beaches, and exhilarating nightlife because of an abundant choice of bars, restaurants, and clubs that will keep the young at heart going until the early hours of the morning.
One of my favourite buildings in Porto is the Baroque-style Carmo and Carmelitas churches with its azulejo tiles situated on the corner of Orca de Carlos Alberto and Rua do Carmo. The Grejas dos Carmelitas Descalços was built in the 17th Century for the Carmelite nuns. The Igreja de Carno was later built in the 18th Century for the Carmelite monks.
Strolling through the old part of Porto, baroque and neo-classic architecture tells a story of affluent families that once lived a lavish lifestyle during the 1700s when the city was one of the most important industrial centers in Europe.
I have fond memories of this beautiful and vibrant city. Colourful houses with laundry drying on the porches. Street vendors and artists as far as the eye can see. Riverboats and people from all over the world strolling leisurely along the sidewalk soaking up the sun and listening to street entertainers. The tourist attractions are endless and one day is not enough to unlock the wonders of Porto.
I vividly remember churches and cathedrals and the very famous Art Nouveau Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful and oldest bookstores in the world. Palaces were built to impress and the Sao Bento train station with its magnificent azulejos Portuguese tiles illustrating real-life stories– a true masterpiece.
A city that permits me to connect with its culture, customs, and cuisine deserves a round of applause… and a revisit!
Of course, the icon of this colourful city is the majestic double-deck metal arch Dom Luis 1 Bridge, built by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel. It took all of five years (1881-1886) to complete and bears some resemblance to the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Sadly nothing is permanent and all journeys come to end sooner or later but how lucky I am to have been able to be part of this magical city in the land of the Rooster, for a while.
GALLERY
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| Panties on the Porch |
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| Carmo and Carmelitas churches |
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| Dom Luis 1 Bridge |
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| Sao Bento |
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| Azulejo tiles |
