by
John Ross

Map of Oporto


Oporto


Oporto, Porto, the city which gave Portugal its name (almost as if there were a place in Britain called "Eng"). It is what it says, a port, and like other ports, much of the pleasure in visiting it comes from just being there, savouring the river and the generally nautical feel of the place. Oporto is dominated by its river, the great Douro, which carved out the gorge on the north side of which the city sits. And where there is a river, there will be bridges, three of them in Oporto: in the west, a huge modern affair spannning the mouth of the Douro; in the east, the Eiffel-designed Maria Pia railway bridge; and between them, the Ponte de Dom Luis, a two-level bridge connecting Oporto itself with Vila Nova de Gaia, Gaia for short, the home of the port wine business.

Oporto's historic centre is a World Heritage site.
Sights marked on the map (you may have to zoom out or drag the map west to find them):
Sé (cathedral): Originally a 12-century fortified church, Oporto Cathedral is remarkable for its Romanesque rose window and its blue-tiled cloisters.
Ribeira (waterfront): The right (north) bank of the Douro, the most picturesque part of Oporto's historic centre.
Port cellars: On the left (south) bank of the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia. The one marked is Sandeman, but there are plenty to choose from, and most have some kind of museum and offer guided tours.
Ferreira: the ferry wharf, from where Douro boat trips run.
Convent of Nossa Senhora da Serra do Pilar.
Museu Guerra Junqueiro, a decorative arts museum.
Casa do Infante, the supposed birthplace of Henry the Navigator.
Palacio da Bolsa, stock exchange.
Igreja e Torre dos Clérigos, Baroque church and tower.
Igreja de Santa Clara.
Rua das Flores.
Rua das Carmelitas.
Praça da Liberdade.
Igreja de San Francisco.
Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis.
Casa Taitas.
Museu Romántico.
Igreja dos Carmelitos.
Museu do Carro Eléctrico, tram museum.
Foz do Douro, an elegant resort quarter.

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