Oporto

Oporto
Oporto is Portugals second city, and a hardworking port with a distinct character.

The city is situated along the river Douro, which has three impressive bridges (one of these, the Ponte de Doña Maria Pia, was built in 1877 by Gerard Eiffel). The old city centre lies on a steep hill. It is full of cathedrals, churches, monasteries and a bishops palace. All buildings were erected between the 13th and 19th century, without any plan and using totally different building styles.

One of the most impressive buildings is the Torre dos Clerigos, the highest tower in Portugal measuring 76 meters. It was built between 1754 and 1763, under supervision of the architect Nicolau Nazoni. You can climb the granite tower via 200 steps.

Year Decision Comments
1996 Inscribed Reasons for inscription



Visit July 1991

(O)porto has enough to offer to easily spend a week there. Maybe it seems a Southern European city like so many others, but the atmosphere is unique.

If you are tired of the monuments (and the food!), you can always taste one of many Port-samples handed out freely by the wine companies.

Reviews

John Booth (New Zealand):
Although there are a lot of steep hills to negotiate while visiting the sites here, there are a number of usful tram and bus routes that connect the different levels of the city. I too found the azuelejos impressive, especially those in the foyer of Sao Bento station and on the facade Congregados church. The Carmo church, city hall, Misericordia church and the Palacio da Bolsa were interesting architecturally, although after a while I found the predominant grey stone a bit depressing.
Date posted: April 2010
Ian Cade (England):
It was a dull and grey day that I was in Porto, and it fit the atmosphere of the city so well. This is not the most aesthetically appealing of cities but it is one that I really enjoyed as it had such a fantastic atmosphere. It is a bit dilapidated but again this just adds to the character. The highlights are the bridges across the Douro going to the wine heaven that is Vila Nova de Gaia. The centre is dotted with sights worth seeing especially the Torre dos Clerigos which affords great views of the whole centre and is also the highest tower in Portugal. There are also great examples of azulejos scattered through out the city especially in the main train station and the Igreja do Carmo. The Riberia district is the heart of the UNESCO site and it clings to the steep banks of the Douro and it is jus a delight to wander around and get lost in. I loved my time in Portugal and this was one of the highlights defiantly well worth a few days of any ones time.
 
Jeremy Tollpuddle (England):
This place is dirty and grimmy and all the better for it. it just oozes character. the bridges across the Douro are fantastic, as are the Port Wine lodges on the opposite bank. The centre is a bit of a maze in places and well planned in others. Well worth a visit, it offers a nice break from cities that are orientated just towards tourists and i geniunly feels like a city that is full alive (ik sorry abit of a cliche there to end with!!)
 


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