Porto

Porto (in English also Oporto), formerly Portucale, population 263,000 in 15 parishes, with 1,551,950 in the metropolitan area, is Portugal's second city and district seat. It is situated in the north of the country, on the northern bank of the Douro River, just in the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Highlights

In 2001, Porto shared the designation European Culture Capital (together with the Dutch city of Rotterdam). In the scope of these events, the construction of the major concert hall space Casa da Música, designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, was initiated.

Related Topics:
2001 - European Culture Capital - Dutch - Rotterdam - Casa da Música - Rem Koolhaas

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In recent years, UNESCO recognised the historic centre (which dates back to the Middle Ages and the Roman Empire) as a World Heritage Site.

Related Topics:
UNESCO - Middle Ages - Roman Empire - World Heritage Site

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The Fantasporto International Film Festival is also a great cultural event of the city, attracting many national and foreign film commentators to the city.

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Several architectonic highlights adorn the city of Porto, from the main avenue in the cities center Avenida dos Aliados , to the magnificent gardens of Palacio de Cristal, and from the millennia-old well-preserved Romanic churches to the myriads of painted tile-adorned interior and exterior walls that appear in both interiors, in the São Bento Station, and exteriors, in the church of Santo Ildefonso.

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A guided visit to the old city's stock exchange (Bolsa), and in particular the Arab Room, is a gem that any visitor shouldn't miss.

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