Porto - Portugal

After discovering the southern part of Portugal in 2016, we decided to explore the northern part of Portugal in 2017.  We drove all the way down to Porto where we took a flight to the incredibly beautiful island of Madeira.  Once again as we came into Portugal, I was taken by the scenery, the food, and what it is to be Portuguese.  We drove from Santiago of Compostella to Porto where we spent 2 unforgettable days in that fascinating city

The Old Part of Porto



Along the Duoro River

Porto was love at first sight for me.  Despite a partly wet autumn encounter, the city shone and I was hooked.  I loved the old tramway transport and the relative ease with which one can travel in the city.  Someone said of Porto that “Even when you can’t see the river, you can sense it; even when you can’t see the ocean, you can smell It” Trust me, this is one truly unique city which will enchant you when you discover it.

The Tramway

 

Housing Along the Douro River

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, Lisbon being the largest.  Located along the Douro river estuary in Northern Portugal, it is one of the oldest European centres.  The historical part of that city was proclaimed a World heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.  Its settlement dates back many centuries, when it was an outpost of  the Roman Empire. 

Barcos Rabelos on the Douro River

The Mighty Douro River

The History of Porto dates back to around 300 BC 300 BC with Celtic people being the first known inhabitants.  Ruins of that period have been discovered in several areas.  During the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula the city developed as an important commercial port.  Porto fell under the control of the Moors during the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in 711.  In 868, Vimara Peres, a warlord reconquered and secured the land from the Moors. 

Historic Porto



The Modern Porto

 In the 14th and the 15th centuries, Porto's shipyards contributed to the development of Portuguese shipbuilding which was followed by navigation and exploration along the western coast of Africa, initiating the Portuguese Age of Discovery.  During the 18th and 19th centuries the city became an important industrial centre and saw its size and population increase.


Port Activity Along the Douro River



A Beach in Porto

Known as the city of bridges, Porto built its first permanent bridge in 1806.  Three years later, it collapsed under the weight of thousands of fugitives from the French Invasions during the Peninsular War, causing thousands of deaths.  The Ponte D. Maria, a railway bridge, was inaugurated on 4 November of that same year.  It was considered a feat of wrought iron engineering and was designed by Gustave Eiffel, notable for his Parisian tower.  During the 20th century, major bridges were built:  The newest bridge, was completed in 2003.  Two more bridges are planned for the near future


The Ponte D Maria

Porto is home to a number of dishes from traditional Portuguese cuisine.   A typical dish from this city is "Tripas á Moda do Porto" (Tripes Porto style).  Bacalhau á Gomes de Sá (Gomes de Sá Bacalhau) is another typical codfish dish born in Porto and popular in Portugal. 


Cabbage Soup - Delicious

Grilled Atlantic Sardines

Grilled Octopus

Grilled Cod

One of Portugal's internationally famous exports is Port wine.  An internationally renowned wine, it is widely consumed as the city's dessert wine, especially as the wine is made along the Douro River which runs through the city.  Wine, produced in the Douro Valley, was already in the 13th century transported to Porto in “Barcos Rabelos” (flat sailing vessels).  Over the last years, Porto has been experiencing an important touristic expansion and it won the European Best Destination 2012 and 2014 awards

 The Entrance of a Port Wine Degustation Bar

The Bar Area

The Degustation Table



The Famous Barcos Rabelos

The Port Wine Transport Vessel

The Majestic Café is for me the most beautiful café in Porto.  It dates back to 1921 under the name of Elite.  It’s located on Santa Catarina Street, the main pedestrian walkway in the city.  The façade is gorgeous but as you go inside, the real surprise awaits you.  This café used to be the meeting point of the elite of the city.  Writers, politicians, artists, thinkers met in different cafés around the city to exchange ideas and discuss different topics


The Majestic Café

Over the years, the place fell into neglect and the glamour of “La Belle Époque” slowly disappeared.  In 1994, the Majestic re-opened after two years of reconstruction work to bring back the glamour from the 20s and give the café back to Porto.


The Elaborate Ornaments

I fell in love with the cafe the first time I went there and returned once more before leaving Porto.  It has that romantic atmosphere that so few places offer these days.  Once you walk through the main doors, you’re taken back in time and it’s like you can almost feel and hear all that took place at this establishment over its decades of service


Full House at the Majestic Café

I loved the linen tablecloths and serviettes, the uniformed personnel right up to the Maître D.  The food was always delicious and reasonably priced I thought.  No matter who you are, what you’re having or what you’re doing, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of Majestic Café.  Enjoy it.

A Table Setting at the Majestic

The Aperitif Before the Meal

Cod Fritter -  So Good

Someone once asked me which Portuguese city did I like best.  This was a question I simply couldn’t answer.  Every place I visited in this country has left me amazed and charmed and for various reasons.  There is the history, the architecture, the language, the food, the music, the elegance and the “joie de Vivre” so unique to this country.  Each place has its own identity but remains oh so Portuguese!!!  You simply must visit this country one day; you won’t regret it.  As for me; I still haven’t come up with an answer to this question