Porto |
| Friday, 11 January 2008 00:00 |
|
Porto is often referred as the second capital of Portugal due to the high quality of life it offers to its inhabitants. The second largest city of Portugal has been renowned for centuries for its important commercial activity. Located on the riverbanks of the Douro, Porto benefits also from a direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. You can have a tour on a motor boat and enjoy the exceptional view over the city.Porto lays a significant cultural heritage. The city was named "European Capital of the Culture" in 2001 and has indeed a lot to offer to its visitors who will know how to take the time to discover it. First of all, the old city, called Ribeira, has been listed UNESCO world heritage since 1986. Walk and discover its typical houses, its narrow streets and its charming small squares. On the way, have a break in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants of Ribeira. This district is very animated during the night. Do not to miss: the Cathedral Sé from the 12th century, the famous Dom-Luis Bridge connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia and the Torre dos Clerigos (the tower of the scholars). The Torre dos Clerigos is the symbol monument of Porto and offers an incredible view over the city and its vicinities. The Maria-Pia Bridge was built in 1876-1877 and was conceived and built by Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. If you wish to immerse yourself into the Portuguese culture of the north, you should go to one of the numerous wine cellars which offer some port-wine which is produced only in the Douro region. The port-wine has allowed the region to prosper and is today the most exported product of the city. You can taste the best port-wine in the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, a small and charming town easily accessible by car. If you are in Porto on June 24, you will have the chance to see and attend the Saint-John celebration (Săo Joăo) with festivities beginning at sunset and not ending before dawn. By following the Douro with your car, you will discover beautiful typical landscapes of the north of Portugal. You can continue your road and reach the college town of Braga. The city is also the seat of the archdiocese of Prima and is religiously important. In Braga, the pilgrimage church and the cathedral going from the 12th century will reveal you their secrets. An old saying evokes the features of the big Portuguese cities the following way: „Lisbon has fun, Coimbra sings, Braga prays and Porto works." If this saying defines well how life used to be in Porto centuries ago, it is not valid anymore today for Porto. Porto, the capital of the north, has become a tourist destination and does not have much to envy other European destinations. A charming northern city is a must-stop destination during a stay in Portugal!
|
Top