Explorations of a city so great, terrible weather can’t even ruin it.
Located in the north of the country of Portugal, Porto is a very popular stop on tours of the country, and for good reason. Porto is a gem. There’s a gorgeous cityscape, azulejos everywhere, and amazingness around every corner. The historic center of Porto is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, you know, it’s going to be great.
Strap in, this is a long one.
Starting off with one of the many gems of Porto, Estação ferroviária de São Bento, the main railway station.
It is known for its around 20,000 azulejos (Portuguese ceramic tiles.)
The weather was absolutely terrible that morning and randomly throughout the day. I escaped into the train station to find something to eat in a dry place. Due to the weather, I went straight to the cathedral. It’s on a terrace at the top of a hill. Wind + rain + no shelter = me running into the cathedral. My pants were not even closely dry by the time I left.
Thankfully the weather cleared by the time I done in the cathedral so I could get a picture.
A visit to the Cathedral of Porto starts in its absolutely gorgeous cloister. Just look at those azulejos. As you can probably tell, I’m a bit obsessed.
Azulejos typically have a pattern that is blue and white . However, the pattern can even be different colors. My favorite are the painted azulejos. These could be giant paintings that cover several tiles or a painting on a single tile.
The Romanesque Cathedral was constructed in the 12th century, with some additions added later like the Gothic cloister seen above.
And one of the Baroque additions.
Can’t be a Portuguese cathedral without some insanity.
Like this chapel.
Staircase azulejos.
The Sacristy.
And another ridiculous chapel. All those carved panels are 3D.
View from the cathedral terrace.
The doors to the Convent of Santa Clara. A very nondescript entrance leads to a courtyard where you find this grand entrance to the church. This nice doorway does not give you any idea what can be found inside. Brace yourself.
The entire church is gilded.
Just look at this insanity.
Even the doors are gilded!
Just insane.
The nuns, members of the Order of Poor Clares, hid away up in the choir away from the public.
They did have a good view of the church though.
Santo Ildefonso’s exterior is covered in azulejos. The interior is lovely, but not in the level of the rest of the churches in Porto.
I love this.
Porto’s famous 18th century Torre dos Clérigos. You can pay to climb the stairs for a view.
Another church, actually two different churches right next to each other with a very small narrow house in between them (only 1.5 meters wide). Igreja do Carmo on the right and the Igreja dos Carmelitas on the left.
tarting with Igreja do Carmo. Definitely not as fancy as Santa Clara, but that would be a very high bar to pass.
It is quite lovely. A bit overpriced though. I should have gone to Santa Clara last, honestly.
There are a few rooms as well displaying art and artifacts. Not sure what this room was originally used for.
The side of the church does have this lovely azulejo pattern.
Next door, is the Igreja dos Carmelitas. I actually liked this one more. I don’t think I paid for this one.
This is the older of the two churches. I’m not sure why they had to built another one next door.
The Sacristy is gorgeous. The really low wooden ceiling made it feel like I was walking through a cabinet.
Lots of drawers and little statues.
Close up on that stunning altar.
The weather started clearing up a bit so I went for a wander.
Passed some gorgeous buildings.
Found Porto’s City Hall.
This is a McDonald’s. Yep.
Back at São Bento Station. The outside of the station is blocked by construction, but the area across the street is quite nice.
Thankfully, the weather stayed clear enough to cross the famous Ponte San Luís I, built in the 1880s.
The oldest part of Porto, the Ribeira. The city started next to the Douro River and went uphill, a very steep hill.
Mosteiro de Santo Agostinho da Serra do Pilar. A giant terrace was built to support the monastery. I’m guessing the hill wasn’t big enough.
Looking back at the Porto side of the river. We have some of the remaining city walls and a funicular to get up that insane hill.
Back on top of Porto’s hill, now heading downhill towards the river.
The Ribeira is full of very narrow streets.
Love this.
I would have loved aimlessly wandering around this area more, but the weather and exhaustion got to me.
Just so colorful!
Ponte San Luís I from below. Thankfully there is a bridge at this level, too.
A Rabelo boat, a traditional Portuguese cargo boat used on the Douro River. It is unique to this area.
The sun finally came out when I was too tired to even move anymore.
I did somehow find the energy to take the lower bridge to see the Ribeira from across the river.
Do watch out for busses down here though.
I saw a few things on my way to a bus stop.
Just a random medieval wall being used to help terrace the hillside.
I got so distracted that I ended up climbing the hill instead of finding a bus. I finally ended up taking a tram back across the river to where I was staying.
Porto is seriously a gem. I loved everything I saw and I barely saw half of what there was to see. I saw more churches and museums that I didn’t even show. This is actually only from day one of two. I did some more wandering on the second day, but I decided to focus on the cemeteries I found. Of course, I found some cemeteries.
Tune in for my next update where I explore two of Porto’s great cemeteries!
or
Start at the beginning of this adventure!
Share this:
Discover more from Wandering Jana
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
