It does not exist any architectonical expression form, the elements of which could not be discovered in Porto. So, starting with pure Romanesque style of the oldest church buildings, up to buoyant Art Deco style of Cafe Majestic, all this could be found here. It is true that this second biggest town of Portugal was never rich in colonial wealth. On the other hand, this town had quite ambitious councillors, church officials and other civic maecenases. They looked after that the ideas, regarding the beauty, prevailing at their time period, could penetrate into architectonical face of the town.

History 

Around 200 B.C., the Romans established, in 6 kms distance from mouth of Douro-river into Atlantic Ocean, a merchant community, known as Portus Cale. Later, the name Portugal was dedicated for the whole country. The port town of Porto was founded on the same place, later chosen by Visigots as Bishop seat. After 300 years lasting Arabs´ hegemony, Porto became a capital of Portugal County. Nevertheless, the colonization of city centre was rather complicated at that time period. It was necessary to carve on many terraces inside granite slopes above Douro-river, in order to establish building bases for five-floor houses. So, a cathedral was built on its highest top place, in the course of 12th century. This building overtops with its two towers , as a resistance symbol, the whole town quarter. The cathedral started to be constructed in Romanesque style, anyway, even the Gothic elements were vindicated within the building later. Nevertheless, couple of months sooner, the construction of the oldest church in Porto - Romanesque Church of Sao Martinho de Cedofeita - was terminated. Its original name celebrates working style of their builders. The construction was financed first of all from profits, brought by wine-business from upper section of Duino-river. The Romans valued very much Portuguese red wine, and this drink became later very popular even in Great Britain. In 1860, one British businessman mixed standard red wine with a bit of brandy (owing to longer durability), and British customers were enthusiastic with this new type of aperitive. The wine from Porto became very popular all over the world since that time period. Nevertheless, the original recipe was changed several times, of course, and Porto wine started to be manufactured with different sweatness measure, but the inquiry about increased all the time. At present, the British, Dutch or German businessmen own (on south suburbs of Vila Nova de Gaia) enormous magazines of Porto wines. Sweet odour (smell) is risen, especially within calm period days, above Douro-river and opposite historical town-nucleus.

Present time  

Export of sardines in tins and corks helped a lot for prosperity of Porto, as well as the increasing textile industry. In western part of historical city centre, modern department stores and inhabitating quarters, including magnificent conceived squares, wide streets and parking surfaces were built. The constructions of modern bridges leading above Douro-river were shared by several famous technicians, such as by Gustave Eiffel. So, as technical miracle, there was celebrated Ponte de Dom Luis I. Bridge in 1886, two roads of which are connected in a height of 10 and 68 metres with city centre and wine-businessmen quarter. Nevertheless, as a spirit base of a success, civic virtues, such as steadyness and a liberty desire are taken for. In late Middle Age, the citizens carried out a privilege, following a rule that no high-born person could not obtain a permission to settle here. However, several riots against transgressions of authorities occured here.

Even Napoleon´s troops were beaten here hard loss in 1808. Porto was the first town which revolted. in 1891, against the monarchy and proved to keep the retreat in front of dictator Salazar. Moreover, the proud of many from 330000 inhabitants could be still offended with a fact that Porto-wine is much more famous in the world as the town of Porto. Nevertheless, this realty was rather changed, as Porto was declared as „European Town of Culture“ in 1994. This title increased the tourist attractivity of the whole area. Local inhabitants are proud on their historical buildings, such as probably location of Henry Seafarer. This man was not a sailor and did not effected the sailes on seas, but he influenced sea-voyage by supporting the development of new types of ships, such as caravelles, being equipped with better sailing features and better manoeuvre possibilities as original types of vessels. Nevertheless, the tourists are menaced with old picturesque quarters, as, for instance, nests of narrow streets, leading towards Rebeira Square, and last, but not least, sweet smell of Porto wine. On the other hand, you can taste 200 various sorts of Porto-wine in Solar Vinho de Porto Institute.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Picasaweb.com