Porto’s six bridges across the Douro River offer a fascinating journey through nearly 150 years of architecture and engineering. From the historic iron arches of Maria Pia and Dom Luís I to the modern concrete bridges of São João, Freixo, and Infante D. Henrique, each bridge reflects a different period in the growth of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
The 14th-century Gothic cloister of Porto Cathedral surrounds a symmetrical courtyard with elegant stone arcades and striking Baroque azulejo panels. Its lower galleries provide access to Nicolau Nasoni’s richly decorated Sacristy and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, while the upper terraces offer a different perspective of this historic cathedral complex.
The Casa do Cabido was built for the Cathedral Chapter of Porto Cathedral and contains some of the cathedral’s most interesting rooms. Its upper floor includes the former Archive Room and magnificent Chapter House, richly decorated with Baroque azulejos, sculptures of saints, and an extraordinary painted wooden ceiling. On the middle floor, the Treasure Room preserves vestments, liturgical books, reliquaries, monstrances, crosses, and other ceremonial objects used at the cathedral over the centuries.
Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) stands above the Douro River as a remarkable blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. Explore its history, magnificent interior, chapels, rose window, towers, and the architectural evolution that has shaped one of Portugal’s most important cathedrals.
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Descend into the mysterious Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira, a remarkable inverted tower hidden beneath the Sintra Hills. Journey through its nine spiral levels to the symbolic mosaic floor, then explore the maze of underground tunnels leading to the lesser-known Unfinished Well and other intriguing destinations within the estate.
Situated on the eastern side of the Patio de la Montería and next to the glamorous Pedro I Palace in the Real Alcázar complex, Casa de Contratación is an unremarkable Renaissance-style building. By its appearance, it is hard to imagine that the decisions made here changed the course of history. It was here many famous and infamous seafarers got approval and funding for their expeditions and brought back the looted riches from the New World. Many European countries who followed in the footsteps of Casa de Contratación to create their trade organizations – such as the East India companies – eventually ended up colonizing a large part of the world, to the detriment of indigenous people and their culture all over the world.
The original building that housed the Casa de Contratación had three halls, two of which have been well-preserved. These are the Admiral’s Hall and the Hall of Audiences. This page describes them with images of their interior and the paintings on display on their walls.
A masterpiece of Mudéjar art and architecture The palace of Pedro I is considered a masterpiece of Mudéjar art and architecture and is a testament to Spain’s multicultural roots. It owes its name to King Don Pedro (1350 – 1369), an eccentric ruler of Castile and Leon known for his cruelty and also known for … Read more
Whether you love it or hate it, this unique and futuristic-looking structure, popularly known as Las Setas of Seville, stands in stark contrast to the rest of Seville that prides itself on world-famous historical monuments. Because it resembles mushrooms, it got its name Las Setas, which means ‘The Mushrooms’ in Spanish. However, it is officially … Read more
The magnificent campanile of the Seville Cathedral When you look at the Giralda, it is hard to imagine that it is a product of two entirely different cultures. The lower half is part of the minaret built in the 13th century by the Almohads – a Moorish dynasty originated from North Africa. The upper half … Read more
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