Even not all sophisticated tourists know how rich in sights the city of Porto, the northern capital of Portugal, is. The special natural mountain and sea landscape surrounding the ancient city successfully complements the urbanistic picture, unusually picturesque and vivid. It is impossible not to admire the winding streets, steeply descending and ascending upward, with millennial buildings, tiled with "azulejo" tiles. The Church of St. Francis, the Bols Palace, the Clérigos House of Music - not all of Porto's attractions. Magnificent bridges, old wineries, the area of the Middle Ages - Ribeira amaze the imagination of foreign tourists.
Freedom Square
Once in the southern part of the city, you will certainly walk along the famous Rua das Florish street of jewelers. Walking past the luxurious display cases with gold and silver jewelry, you can imperceptibly walk to one of the most beautiful squares in Portugal - Freedom Square - the administrative center of the city. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century during the perestroika era. At first, it was limited by fortress walls, instead of them a monastery was erected.
Later, it became known as the Cardosas Palace, delighting tourists not only with ancient architecture, but also with modern hotel comfort. There is a monument to King Pedro IV in the center of Svoboda. The marble pedestal depicts bronze figures of a galloping horse and a king sitting on it, the author of the country's Constitution. Opposite the monument there is a high tower of the City Hall, from all sides the square is surrounded by beautiful buildings of banks, restaurants, office offices.
Soiricha dos Reis
The magnificent building of the Carrancache Palace houses the National Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts of the State of Soares-dos-Reis. During the civil war, many monasteries ceased to exist. To preserve their property, accumulated over the centuries, it was necessary to find a place. At first, everything was stored in one of the buildings in the center of Porto. The vast halls of Carrancache became a repository of various works of painting, sculpture, jewelry, etc. in 1942.
In 1833, Emperor Pedro IV approved a decree on the organization of the storage. In 1839, his funds were transferred to the Academy of Fine Arts as the National Museum for the public to visit. For many years, the talented sculptor Antonio Soares-dos-Reis, whose name was given to the institution in 1911, was engaged in the systematization and formation of the collection. Here visitors will get acquainted with the outstanding creations of Portuguese painters, sculptors and masters of applied art.
Unique samples of handmade furniture, ceramics, metal products of the 19th and 20th centuries, presented in museum expositions, amaze with virtuosity and beauty. Those who were not familiar with Portuguese painting at all can see the beautiful canvases of dozens of Portuguese artists. Paintings by Sequeira, Roquemont, Resende, de Oliveira, de Sousa and many other authors are widely represented. The sculptures of Soares dos Reis, Santa, Lopos and other sculptors cannot but admire.
Lello Bookstore
If many believe that in the age of the Internet there is no longer a need for bookstores, then this cannot in any way apply to the famous Lello store. A famous landmark not only in Portugal, but all over the world is not just a bookstore, but an architectural masterpiece, a temple of books, art of architecture and artistic design.
Everything about this extraordinary building is fascinating, from the facades to the offices. This miracle was created by the efforts of the Lello brothers, owners of a book publishing house, who published and sold books. To expand their business, in 1906 they opened a large new store, which immediately became the object of admiration and pilgrimage of visitors.
Here, a magical world opens up in front of them. The neo-Gothic façade with graceful pilasters, paintings and openwork decorations, is designed by analogy with the monastery of the city of Batalha. Art Nouveau interiors amaze the imagination with intricate beauty. One cannot but admire the stained-glass ceiling with the inscription "Dignity in Work".
Recently refurbished, it regains its former golden glow, casting light on the bookcases. The stunning design of the staircase is striking, with bright red steps rising up following the smooth curves of the railing. Ceiling vaults, decorated with stucco patterns, form niches above the shelving, creating an atmosphere of magical magic.
Over the years of its centenary existence, "Lello" has repeatedly experienced difficult periods, reaching the stage of bankruptcy. But the appearance of J.K. Rowling's bestselling Harry Potter book and the details of its writing changed the store's sad fate. The public, upon learning that Lello's store was the inspiration for Rowling's fantasy plot, sparked the same public interest. All readers have searched and are looking for similarities with Rowling's description in the interiors of the building. Many are sure that it was Portuguese students who became the prototypes of Hogwarts students, the Slughorn faculty was named after the Portuguese dictator Salazar. Despite the paid entrance, the flow of visitors here does not decrease.
Church of St. Francis
No one walks indifferently past a truly amazing building of the 14th century - the ancient church of St. Francis. Its Gothic facades immediately attract attention with the openwork of window grilles, a bell tower and sculptures of saints in the attic. Marble statue of St. Francis, installed in a niche under a large rose window at the main entrance to the temple, dawns on those entering. Everyone experiences a real emotional shock when they enter the golden vaults of the church. After all, it is popularly called "golden" because of the generous gilding on carved jewelry, which took 400 kg of gold.
The incredible beauty of wooden carving literally plunges into an aesthetic shock. No wonder the Church of St. Francis is considered the most luxurious in Europe. The entire baroque decor is an undoubted artistic masterpiece from which it is impossible to look away! It seems that it is woven by some kind of magic wand, and not by human hands - the patterns are so skillful and intricate. How not to admire the Jesse family tree, created from multi-colored wood by the Portuguese artists F, Silva and A. Gomez !?
The figures of 12 Jewish kings are set on the branches like birds, the top of the tree is crowned with a sculpture of the Madonna and Child. The base is the figure of the lying Jesse, from where the tree "sprouts". Cherubims, birds of paradise, bunches of grapes paint a picture of a fairy forest, under the charm of which every visitor falls. Against the background of a huge window with a semicircular vault, the holy Crucifixion attracts attention. The golden shine and sparkle dazzle at the first minute, and the eyes run up from the grandiose picture. In the underground floor of the temple there is a crypt with the ashes of representatives of the local nobility and especially important members of the Franciscan Order.
Ponti di Don Luis bridge
Every self-respecting tourist considers it his duty to see the visiting card of Porto - the masterpiece of bridge building Ponti di Don Luis. The bridge, woven of openwork metal structures, amazes with its extraordinary grace and originality of execution. At first glance, there is an association with the construction of the Eiffel Tower, and this impression does not deceive.
The miracle of engineering was created by the project of Eiffel's student Theophil Seirig. The city authorities invited him to create a semblance of a bridge previously built here by the Eiffel himself. The new ferry was supposed to connect Porto with the wine cellars of the city of Vila Nova de Gaia.The soft soil of the bottom of the Douro River did not allow piles to be driven in, so an extraordinary structure was needed, hanging over the river. This was successfully achieved: the only span was thrown from one bank to the other.
The result is an elegant multifunctional bridge, named in honor of King Luis I. Cars and pedestrians move along the lower tier. The upper span has a railway for subway trains moving along a deep niche enclosed by high walls. 2 sidewalks on both sides are provided for pedestrians. There is an observation deck here with picturesque urban views.
Arrabida
No less famous is another, very important for the city, the pedestrian and automobile bridge of Arrábida, which was under construction for ten years (1953-63) The rapidly developing Port required a new reliable crossing over the Douro. The author and leader of the project was the renowned architect Cardoso, a recognized bridge builder. The most powerful monolithic ferro-concrete crossing, created according to his project, became a reliable bridge for many years. Despite the fact that only one arch with a height of 52 m is thrown across the river, the structure, which is not strong in appearance, functions flawlessly to this day.
When the structure was being erected, people were always crowded next to the construction site, doubting its future reliability. There was talk that the bridge would not last long, Cardoso was criticized for such an extraordinary project. But the brainchild of the architect withstood all the tests, and today the 6th bridge across the river. Dora is informally called Cardoso. The most important link between the wine region and Porto has contributed to the significant development of this industry. In 2013, it was awarded the status of a National Monument of Portugal.
Se Cathedral
The main shrine of the Catholics-Portuguese - the Se Cathedral in Porto in appearance resembles a fortress. The Romanesque building looks like a majestic monument erected in the 12th century. It became the center around which the city developed and settled. But today only the main façade has survived from the old Romanesque style, with the traditional rose window and jagged edges of the walls. 2 square towers on the sides are crowned with domes and spiers. The roof over the central entrance is supported by an arched vault.
Later, in 1333, a Gothic chapel was added to the temple, in which the ashes of the Maltese knight João Gordo are kept. A decade later, a monastery was erected nearby, and a whole religious complex was formed. An impressive courtyard lined with the famous azulejo tiles. The interior of the cathedral and the monastery does not leave indifferent. The interiors of the temple are decorated in restrained, gloomy colors, corresponding to the Middle Ages.
Heavy arched vaults, massive doors and columns, rose-shaped windows enhance the authenticity of the overall environment. The silver altar amazes with its beauty and pomp - a tribute to the Baroque in one of the chapels. Statues of saints, antique furniture, picturesque canvases in majestic frames are transferred to the past centuries. The cathedral, built at the highest point in the city, is visible from afar. It is no coincidence that an observation deck is equipped next to it, from where tourists explore the surroundings.
House of Music
The building a la Art Nouveau in the form of a giant faceted crystal of irregular shape is located on the Boavisto areal circle - the border between the old and the new city. The symbol of a new era in the architecture of Porto - the House of Music was created by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, an employee of the famous Dutch bureau OMA. The history of this extraordinary building began in 2001, when Porto was declared the European Capital of Culture along with Rotterdam. The winning architect Koolhaas decided to move away from the traditional external form of concert halls and create something new.
At the opening in April 2005, Koolhaas' brainchild was named "the most attractive" of his projects in comparison with the Berlin Philharmonic and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The House of Music has become an example of innovative architecture, the use of modern building materials and optimal space planning. The special composition of the concrete mixture allowed the creation of a super-strong outer shell. The building houses 10 rehearsal rooms, recording studios, educational rooms, a huge concert hall and many other rooms.
All rooms are connected by stairs, elevators and escalators, which makes the House of Music multifunctional at the same time. Panoramic windows of the Central Hall from 2 sides open the panorama of the city, against which concerts and festive events are held. To ensure excellent acoustics, concert halls are designed in the form of rectangular boxes. To dampen external noise, the windows are equipped with wave-shaped glass. The interiors of all rooms are impressive with their modern design.
Clerigos
A magnificent example of Baroque architecture is a complex consisting of 3 objects: a church, a hospital and a tower, united by the common name of Clerigos. The construction, led by Nicollo Nazoni, was problematic due to soil erosion and lasted 16 years. The talented architect managed not only to organically fit the buildings into the surrounding landscape, but also to create a real masterpiece of architecture. The bell tower (one of the two planned) was erected later, in 1854. Nazoni's ashes, as an honorary citizen, are buried in the church.
The Campanile tower, impressive with its intricacy of external appearance, is not a simple decoration of the city. An interesting story is connected with it, called "tea in the clouds", when in 1917 the acrobats Puertulianos (father and son) climbed to the very top, climbing the walls. The reason was an advertisement for the Invicta cookies with which they drank tea. At the very top there is an observation deck, from where a wonderful panorama opens up. A staircase with 225 steps leads to it. The thickness of the granite walls of the 1st floor is almost 2 meters. The bell tower is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The church itself evokes admiration for the baroque decoration of the facade: relief patterns carved from stone are distinguished by filigree and graceful execution. Majestic columns crown the entrance to it, sculptures of saints are installed in niches. The top is decorated with curly spiers and a 3-tiered cross. Rich stucco molding, numerous baroque elements make the facade of the church look like a palace. Today it hosts concerts, charity meetings, and organizes excursions.
Stock exchange palace
It is impossible not to notice the magnificent building on pl. Enfanta Enrique, in the historic center of Porto. The Stock Exchange or Bolsa Palace stands out from the rest of the buildings for its neoclassical appearance. It was built in the middle of the 19th century on the site of the burned down church of St. Francis according to the project of J. Junior. Although some parts of the building were created by other architects. The dome covering the Courtyard of Nations was designed by Tomáš Soler. The city of Souza worked on the design of the interior interiors.
The building served as the residence of prominent businessmen for many years. The fruit of the collective work of the craftsmen still delights visitors with the beauty of architecture and design. Today, the Stock Exchange is open as a museum displaying various works of art: sculptures, frescoes, paintings. Visitors are amazed by the magnificent beauty of the interior decoration of the Arabian Hall - the pearl of the palace in the Moorish style. Ceremonial meetings of heads of state are held here.
In the Presidential Salon, you can see unique ancient frescoes, paintings by famous artists. The magnificent grand staircase captivates with its amazing design. The Courtyard of Nations, covered with a glass dome and decorated with the coats of arms of the countries, is amazing.
Karmo Church
The old city center is also decorated with an architectural masterpiece in the Rococo style - the Karmo Church, located on pl. Gomez Teixeira.The majestic religious building immediately catches the eye with an elegant side façade, faced with blue and white azulejo tiles. The tiled canvas, created by the artist Silvestri, depicts scenes of the birth and development of the Carmelite Order. The top of the main facade is decorated with statues of 4 evangelists and sculptures of the prophets Elisha and Elijah. The interior decoration of the temple dazzles with the glitter of gold, lavishly decorating the walls, columns, balconies and altars.
All 7 altars are decorated with elaborate carvings covered with gilding. They are made by the renowned craftsman Campagnan. At first glance, it seems that the Karmo Church is one large building. But this is not so: there is a Carmelite temple nearby, separated by the narrowest house in the world, 1 meter wide. According to Catholic laws, two religious sites could not be adjacent to each other, so they were separated by a space in the form of a residential building.
Oceanarium "Sea Life Center"
The fantastic world of the underwater kingdom opens up to visitors at the "Center for Marine Life" - the local Oceanarium. Of course, it cannot be compared with the size of other European aquariums, but the design, the richness of the marine flora, the riot of colors leave no one indifferent. A kaleidoscope of marine life, from the smallest to the largest, captures the imagination. Color lighting transforms the spectacle into real magic.
One gets the impression that you yourself are in a mysterious depth next to the marine fauna. Round dances of tropical fish flicker before your eyes, electric rays float lazily, sharks swiftly cut through the water. Seahorses delight with their extraordinary appearance. Everyone especially likes their stay in the "Kingdom of Neptune" - the largest aquarium. A tunnel leads to it, through which you can walk, observing the aquarium inhabitants on both sides.
Some representatives of these individuals have already disappeared from the oceanic expanses, some, like bamboo sharks, have already been born in the aquarium. The interest of young spectators is aroused by the process of feeding the inhabitants, which is carried out several times a day. You can climb to the observation deck located on the roof of the pavilion to see the ocean views. Here, the cafe offers a varied menu, there is a playground.
Bishop's palace
An architectural masterpiece, an example of the late Baroque, an unusually beautiful building, the Episcopal Palace is located next to the Cathedral. The history of its appearance dates back to the 12-13th century, when it was planned to build a residence for bishops. The palace played this role until the 19th century, having gone through more than one reconstruction. In the 16-17th centuries, the building was expanded by adding a building with 2 towers. Paying tribute to architectural fashion, in the 18th century, the monument was rebuilt in the Baroque style as it is seen today. The reconstruction project was developed by the Italian architect Nicola Nasoni.
The rectangular building with an inner courtyard captivates with external beauty. The walls of the facade, painted white, favorably set off the rows of windows with brown figured trims. The main portal, finished with dark granite, is in harmony with the windows. Above the balcony of the portal is the coat of arms of Bishop de Mendoza, whose efforts completed the last reconstruction. The design of the long lobby with marble vaults supported by Corinthian columns is fascinating. The niches between them are decorated with azulesh tiles in the form of scenes from the life of bishops. The magnificent building can be admired endlessly.
Serra do Pilar Monastery
In the picturesque district of Porto, there is an ancient architectural and religious monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - the Augustinian Monastery of Serra do Pilar. It began to be built in the 16th century by the order of the Portuguese king John III. For 70 years, powerful battlements were erected, interior rooms were finished, despite the lack of funds.
Due to the convenient strategic location of the monastery, it was used as a defensive facility during the Anglo-French War. It was here that the Earl of Wellington, hero of the Battle of Waterloo, drew up battle plans. The military was based in Serra do Pilar and during the siege of the city during the Portuguese Civil War (1832-33).
Today, more than half of the monastery, owned by the military, is closed to visitors. But the part that is allowed to visit leaves deep impressions. It is impossible not to admire the beautiful Renaissance decoration of the local church, made by analogy with the Roman church of St. Mary. Semicircular vaults decorated with ornate carvings, perfect sculptures of saints, engravings on gold are striking in their beauty. Other premises of the Serra do Pilar are also of interest.
City Park
The oasis of wildlife - the city park, opened to visitors in 2002, is of constant interest among citizens and tourists. The kingdom of green lawns, shady alleys, woodlands, groves, lawns and flower beds is spread over 83 hectares. Wonderful landscape landscapes, created by the hands of designers, delight everyone who comes here for the first time. The Portuguese adore the park, choosing it as their favorite vacation spot, where they can practice various sports and enjoy being in touch with nature.
In special places, picnics are organized to the accompaniment of bird songs. Along the paths, there are benches for rest, ice cream trays, cafes. The winding paths lead to the picturesque lakes located along the ocean coast. There are rental points for boats, scooters, boats. On the territory of the park there is a historical building of the Water Pavilion, opened in 1998 for the international exhibition Expo-98.
Currently, the Water Pavilion is run by the City Hall and is managed by the ONFR (Science and Development Fund organization). In the park, you can get acquainted not only with the terrestrial animal world, but also with the inhabitants of the depths of the sea. It houses the private marine aquarium Sea Life Center, which showcases the representatives of the underwater fauna. The park is the best place for leisure.
Port Wine Museum
A whole museum is dedicated to one of the main symbols of the city - Port wine. It is housed in a rather picturesque building of a former reservoir (18th century). Its exhibits illustrate the 3-century history of the development of wine production in Portugal. For the first time the name of a branded drink, protected today by the legislation of the country, arose in the 17th century. According to the EU directive, port is recognized as a wine of excellent quality and exclusive taste. The Port Wine Museum, as a branch of the Municipal Citywide Museum, was opened in 2004.
Examining the museum exhibitions, you can see old wooden rabella boats, on which wooden barrels of grape juice were transported along the Douro River for its storage and aging. The expositions demonstrate all stages of production and storage of port, many samples of labels and bottles of original shapes. There are also ancient oak barrels of the 18-19 centuries, intended for the maturation of the drink. In the tasting room, guests taste different varieties of port.
Tram Museum
It is already impossible to imagine movement in any big city without a tram. This grateful form of transport, which appeared in the 19th century, replaced dozens of horses. At first it was called "horse-drawn tram", because light carriages were dragged along the rails by horses until electric trams appeared. The illustrative history of tram business in Porto can be seen by visiting the interesting Tram Museum.
All of its exhibits, from the very first copy to the last, are in excellent condition. It features a horse-drawn tram - a horse-drawn 12-seater carriage, which first appeared in the city on May 15, 1872. Later, it functioned as a trailer for an electric tram. Each exhibit reflects the evolutionary stages in the development of tram production.Visitors can get into the carriage, touch everything with their hands, sit in the driver's seat, take a photo.
Among the trams, there are unique samples made in an exclusive version, such as, for example, carriage N 100. The restored American tram, produced in the 30s of the 20th century, is presented here. An interesting electric model of the "British carriage", produced by an English company, which appeared in the Port in 1909. Presented carriage No. 250, which operated until 1981 and remained the only one of 12 produced in the Port.
Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art
This is the first contemporary art museum in Portugal, opened in 1999 on the grounds of the Serralves estate, in a picturesque park. The opening was marked by the exhibition "Circa 1968", which aroused great interest of the people of art and the public. The magnificent Art Deco-style museum building covers an area of 13 thousand square meters. m., 4.5 thousand sq. m. there are 14 exhibition galleries.
The construction of the complex, interior design was supervised by the architect Vieira. The originality of his design solutions can be traced in the interiors of the Central, Wooden and Marble halls, and the atrium. In fact, this is a museum complex - installations by contemporary artists are also displayed on the territory surrounding the building.
In the "Mirror Pavilion", located by the reservoir, amidst lush greenery, short films are shown. Museum guests visit not only exhibitions, but can use the library, shop at the souvenir shop, and relax at a local restaurant. A rich collection of modern painting is represented by works by West, Horn, Oldenburg, Hamilton and others. There are also masterpieces by the famous Portuguese artists Elena Almeida and Paula Regu.
Crystal Palace Park
The wonderful park attracts citizens and guests not only with its intriguing name, but also with many interesting objects and extraordinary landscape beauty. The territory of the park is decorated with magnificent sculptures a la antiquity, modern installations, luxurious flower beds, velvet lawns. Surrounded by spreading trees, the mirror of a beautifully designed large pond sparkles. The Crystal Palace, an iron and glass building - a tribute to the mid-19th century fashion - was opened in 1865 at the time of the international exhibition.
The palace made an indelible impression on visitors, as did the adjacent park, divided into thematic zones. Today, instead of the Crystal Palace, there is an extensive pavilion built in 1956 for various events. But park areas have been preserved: Garden of Roses, Garden of Senses, Garden of Smells, a visit to which is a pleasure. Peacocks roam freely here, willingly accepting treats. Interesting to visit is the Romantic Museum - the mansion of the former king of the Scandinavian kingdom, which presents the atmosphere of a bygone era.
Santa Catarina street
Every self-respecting tourist considers it his duty to walk along the pedestrian street of Santa Catarina. It starts near the railway station and is not only a historical landmark, the trading heart of the city, but also an open-air museum. There are many old buildings, the facades of which are decorated in the national style with azulejo tiles.
Biblical and historical scenes in blue and white transform facades into stunning works of art. The facades of modern buildings are also beautifully decorated, the owners of which strive to make them attractive. The aesthetic sensations that overwhelm tourists are complemented by an exciting shopping experience in branded boutiques and souvenir shops, concentrated along the entire 1.5-kilometer length of the street. Here everyone can satisfy their customer demand.
Various souvenirs, high-quality jewelry, clothes, shoes, household items, dishes - the assortment of goods is very rich. Many cafes and restaurants offer delicious and inexpensive menu of national cuisine. Tourists are looking for the famous Majestic Cafe, famous for its airy pastries. You should come here to shop on any day except Sunday when the shops are closed.
Church of St. Ildefonso
A true masterpiece of ancient architecture - the Baroque Church of St. Ildefonso is located next to pl. Batalha, on the site of the chapel of Saint Alifon. The religious building was erected thoroughly and carefully on a powerful foundation for 30 years (1709-39). First, the central part was built, and then bell towers were erected on both sides. Particular attention was paid to the decoration of the facades in the Baroque style.
The best craftsmen worked on lush stucco molding and laying of blue and white azulejos tiles, over which time has no power. Paintings depicting scenes from the life of Saint Ildefonso and the Gospel were created by the artist Georges Colas. More than 11 thousand tiles were required for the mosaic decoration - one can only imagine the scale of the painstaking work. A true gem of Baroque architecture, it was named after Metropolitan Toledo Ildefonso, who was awarded the status of a saint for his 10-year service.
The interior decoration of the temple is also fascinating, with a luxurious decorative composition - a retablo, designed by the famous specialist of the Italian baroque Nasoni. The Portuguese take great care of the amazing temple, repeatedly restoring it after damage. In 1819 the church was restored after a hurricane, in 1833 the stained glass windows were replaced after shelling. The unfading beauty of the ancient building continues to live for centuries.
Church of St. Lawrence
An excellent example of Baroque Jesuit Mannerism is the Church of St. Lawrence - a religious and architectural monument of the 16th century. The exterior of the temple successfully combines monumentalism and graceful splendor of the many Baroque decorations that cover the facade. The monumental building was erected by the Jesuit monks, hoping for their continued presence. However, during the reign of the Marquis of Pombal, the Jesuits were expelled from the city in 1759, and the church was transferred first to the University of Coimbra and later to the Augustinian monastic order.
The Augustinian monks who first settled in Lisbon in 1663 in the place of Luqar do Grilo (crickets) began to be called "brothers-crickets, therefore the temple is otherwise called" Grilush ". Today it is owned by the Roman Catholic diocese of the city, which has organized the Museum of Sacred Art and Archeology here. A visit to the museum is an interesting immersion into the past, into the history of religion. Here you can see genuine rarities of the 16-18 centuries. For tourists, guided tours are organized for donations, there is no fixed price.
Church of Saint Clare
If you do not know what is hidden behind the outwardly modest facade of the inconspicuous gray building of the Church of St. Clara, you can indifferently walk past it. But for tourists keen on historical and cultural monuments, this will be a big mistake. The entire interior of the sanctuary is a priceless work of decorative art and painting that amazes the imagination. The temple, "hidden" behind a small square, resembles a box with a secret, when a shine of jewels opens under a simple lid.
The magnificent Rococo and Baroque carvings, covered with gold leaf, are extraordinarily beautiful. According to the information, 470 kg of gold were used for the coating. Gold-plated wall panels fill the main hall with splendor. Graceful images of angels, cherubim, holy martyrs adorned the interiors in the 17th century, thanks to the brush of the great artist Miguel da Silva. The design of the wooden ceiling and the covered gallery in the spirit of mannerism amazes.
The temple was built in the 15th century. as part of a Franciscan monastery and was intended for the services of the Clarissa nuns, members of the Order founded by Saint Clara in 1212. She was the first follower of the sermons of Francis of Azis and the creator of the female branch of the Franciscan order.The Church of her name was owned by the Clarissky nuns until the 19th century. It is surprising that the Franciscan preaching of poverty, humility and prayer contrasts with the rich decoration of the temple.
Church of Mercy
You can feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, see with your own eyes the buildings of the 16-17 centuries on the old Rua dash Flores street. There are many authentic houses here that have preserved the architectural features of that era: lattice windows, metal balconies, azulejo tiles, and noble coats of arms. Among the old buildings stands the Church of Mercy, built at the end of the 16th century. next door to the shelter. In the 17th century. restoration took place here. The facade of the temple was decorated with baroque elements: garlands of flowers, leaves, scallops, and the royal coat of arms.
The Mannerist interiors are lavishly decorated with neoclassical wood carvings. The walls are faced with azulejo tiles (17th century), the original central altar of the 16th century is superbly finished. There is a small museum at the temple, the main exhibit of which is the artistic masterpiece "The Fountain of Life". The painting by the Flemish artist Colin de Coter depicts the royal family of Manuel I kneeling before the crucified Christ.
War museum
No other European country in the past had as many colonies and trading posts on different continents as Portugal. The Portuguese conquered tidbits on the best islands of the oceans. It is no coincidence that the language of a rather small nationality of the Portuguese, today is one of the most common on our planet. The military glory of a modern, peaceful state is reflected in the Porto War Museum. It is located in the building of the former branch of the KGB and does not differ in its large-scale scope, but every visitor will find something interesting here for himself.
A huge collection of tin soldiers, demonstrating all kinds of uniforms from different armies of the world, is an undoubted success among museum exhibits. All figurines, executed masterly, down to the smallest detail, represent genuine works of miniature sculpture. Among them are images of great historical characters. One of the expositions quite fully reflects the events of the war with Napoleon.
The Civil War of 1832-34, the 11-month heroic defense of Porto, is presented in detail. Here you can see the Lewis machine gun belonging to the famous Portuguese hero Anibal Millash. Participating in the 1st World War, he received most of the soldier's awards. The most valuable rarity of the entire exhibition is the sword of Henriques, the founder and 1st king of Portugal.
Museum "World of Discovery"
Cultural and educational institution of the 21st century - an interactive museum introduces the numerous discoveries of Portuguese seafarers-explorers. A fantastic picture of travels has been recreated in museum halls and on the territory of the theme park. The fascinating odyssey of Magellan, Bartolomeu Diaz, Vasco da Gama open before the eyes of amazed visitors at interactive multisensory exhibitions. The magical world of the tropics, exotic flora and fauna, knightly castles, ancient cities of the East makes an irresistible impression.
20 permanent media scenes-exhibitions make viewers forget that everything is happening in the virtual world - the atmosphere of what is happening around is so realistically recreated. The sense of believability is enhanced by live theatrical performances by park staff. For persuasiveness, the "artists" are dressed in clothes of the 15th century, a typical entourage of the era of great discoveries has been created. Finding yourself in a 29-foot-long tunnel, recreated as the Cape of Good Hope, truly immerses you in the atmosphere of this place.
Teatro Colosseum-Porto
Historic Art Deco building, built in 1635, the Porto Colosseum serves as a theater, concert hall and cinema / theater at the same time. It hosts movie premieres, ballet and theatrical performances, concerts of classical and pop music. The Colosseum of Porto is a universal temple of art, where you can hear already famous and just beginning opera performers, see classical ballet performances and modern dance performances.
The theater scenes provide an opportunity for all city ballet schools, theater studios, pop groups to present themselves to the audience and gain popularity. A variety of artists perform here, including very young ones. In 2015, the premises of the Colosseum were restored, the acoustics in the concert hall were improved, and 3D equipment was installed in the cinema. The lobbies have soft sofas and a rooftop café with an outdoor terrace.
Cable car
An indispensable attribute of all cities with an uneven landscape - the Porto cable car was opened in 2011 and has become an object of entertainment for tourists. It connects the promenade of the neighboring municipality of Villa Nova de Gaia with the second tier of the Luis I Bridge and mostly runs over the Villa area. The cabin, designed for 8 people, moves along a cable at a bird's-eye view. As you move below, you will find compelling views of the city.
Although the Ribeira promenade is clearly visible from the opposite bank of the Douro River and vice versa, the cable car ride is very convenient for tourists visiting the exhibition and tasting rooms of Villa Nova de Gaia. It is not very pleasant to go upstairs after all the tastings of the signature port, and the ascent on the cable car will only add to the pleasure. The air crossing operates from 10 am, a round-trip ticket costs 9 € for adults, 4.5 € for children.
Fortress wall of Fernandin
Not far from the Cathedral there is a unique landmark that personifies the Middle Ages, Wall of Fernandin. Today, tourists see only the surviving fragments of the original building and part of the restored wall with a tower. The defensive wall was erected in the 14th century to replace the old fence. The construction of a powerful wall 6.6 m high and 2.2 m thick lasted 40 years. Along its entire length of 3400 m, 17 gates of stone and iron and 30 watchtowers were equipped.
When the need for a defensive structure disappeared in the second half of the 18th century, its main part was demolished, making room for new streets and buildings. The destruction of the wall continued in the 19th century. Only in 1926 did the remaining authentic fragments of the powerful wall become a national monument of Portugal. Near the Xie Cathedral, part of it and one cog-top tower were restored. The name of the building still bears the name of King Ferdinand, under whom the construction of the grandiose structure was completed.
Sao Bento train station
Anyone who first enters the arches of the historic São Bento railway station freezes with admiration for the amazing beauty of the interior design. This is a true work of art and design art. The station was built at the beginning of the 19th century (1900-1916), when a railway was laid from Lisbon to Porto. Great attention was paid to the construction of the fateful object, the best specialists in architecture and painting were attracted. The exterior of the building reflects the neoclassical style in the French spirit.
The interior decoration turned the station into a museum of arts and crafts and made it famous all over the world. Tourists come here to admire the interiors that have become a masterpiece. Superbly executed wall panels made of azulejo tiles "paint" historical plots, everyday pictures of the life of peasants, military battles. The artist Georges Kolas worked on the artistic tiles.
White and blue panels along the perimeter are edged with plot paintings from colored tiles. The walls between the vaulted windows are decorated with graceful ornaments. Sao Bento is an active commuter station serving local trains. The main passengers are tourists traveling to nearby cities and towns within a radius of 50-60 km.While waiting for the train, tourists have the opportunity to admire a true artistic masterpiece.
