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Porto is located in the North of Portugal, on the north bank of
the river Douro. It's the second largest city in the country,
in an urban area with more than 1.3 million inhabitants.
Four main bridges (Arrábida, Freixo, D. Luiz and Infante)
and two railway bridges (S. João and D. Maria - this one,
considered an historical monument, is no longer operational)
make it possible to cross the river to the other bank (Vila
Nova de Gaia). Porto is a city characterised for its granite,
which makes it a city "with character". Its climate is
temperate, though quite damp.
Porto is
settled since pre-historical times. It has since been
inhabited by Romans, Iberians, Celts, Swabians, Visigoths
and Moors (although the influence of the Moors is greater in
the South).
Oporto Images
In the
national history Porto has always fought for its
independence and love for freedom. Liberalism, liberty and
patriotism are some of the values that have always been
expensive to the inhabitants of Porto. The name "tripeiros"
for which the inhabitants of Porto are known arises from one
of those proofs of patriotism: in the 15th Century, during
the kingdom of D. João I, the inhabitants of Porto gave away
all their meat to supply the fleet that set sail from Porto,
keeping only the tripes for themselves. This is the origin
of one of the most traditional dishes of the local cuisine,
"tripas à moda do Porto".
With a strong
and dynamic bourgeoisie to which the city owes the epitaph
of "City of Work", Porto has always been the city of trade.
Its main export product is the Port wine, which enabled the
renovation of the city: new roads and buildings were built,
which accounts for the wealth of the bourgeoisie of the time.
The historical
richness of the city is accounted for in the labyrinth of
narrow and rough streets of the medieval times and in its
monuments (the Cathedral, the "Palácio da Bolsa", as well as
several churches, museums and private houses). Influenced by
the undeniable historical and architectural richness, by the
beauty of the city and by the urban and social renovation
the city goes constantly through, especially in the oldest
areas, in 1996 UNESCO considered Porto "World Heritage".
This demonstrates the cultural and social vitality of the
city, which is also proven by its several Universities, art
academies, conservatories, museums and art galleries.
This enabled
Porto to be considered in 2001 the European Capital of
Culture, together with Rotterdam. As such, great projects
have been implemented aimed to encourage cultural dynamics
and continuing the urban renovation Porto has been going
through.
For all this,
Porto has gained its place as a city of work, science,
culture and leisure...
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