Porto, located on the Douro River, is the second largest city in Portugal. Port wine is produced at vineyards and wineries located 60 miles upstream and transported to Gaia, just across the Douro River from Porto, for aging.
Our pousada in Porto, the Palacio do Fraixa, was designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni (1691-1771). The Palacio was designed for a family who manufactured soap and cereal.
Our pousada in Porto, the Palacio do Fraixa, was designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni (1691-1771). The Palacio was designed for a family who manufactured soap and cereal.
Our room was in the former factory to the left of the palacio.
Our room was in the former factory to the left of the palacio.
This tour boat gave us a river's eye view of Porto and Gaia.
This tour boat gave us a river's eye view of Porto and Gaia.
Several bridges over the Douro River connect Porto to Gaia.
Several bridges over the Douro River connect Porto to Gaia.
The Ribeira, at the base of the Ponte Dom Luis I bridge, designed by Teofilo Seyrig, a protégé of Gustav Eiffel.
The Ribeira, at the base of the Ponte Dom Luis I bridge, designed by Teofilo Seyrig, a protégé of Gustav Eiffel.
The Ribeira
The Ribeira
Parish Church of Massarelos
Parish Church of Massarelos
These are examples of boats that historically transported wine from the Douro Valley to Gaia.
These are examples of boats that historically transported wine from the Douro Valley to Gaia.
We visited one of the many port wine lodges in Gaia.
We visited one of the many port wine lodges in Gaia.
The three ports we tasted at Graham's
The three ports we tasted at Graham's
A photo from the terrace at Graham's tasting room
A photo from the terrace at Graham's tasting room
Returning by bus from Gaia to Porto
Returning by bus from Gaia to Porto
Buildings on Praça do Infante Dom Henrique (Henry the Navigator Square) in Porto
Buildings on Praça do Infante Dom Henrique (Henry the Navigator Square) in Porto
A statue of Henry the Navigator, located in Praça Infante. Henry was born in Porto.
A statue of Henry the Navigator, located in Praça Infante. Henry was born in Porto.
We toured the Palacio da Bolsa, home of the Commercial Association of Porto and its system of ports.
We toured the Palacio da Bolsa, home of the Commercial Association of Porto and its system of ports.
Red
The interior courtyard of the Bolsa
The interior courtyard of the Bolsa
A courtroom in the Bolsa
A courtroom in the Bolsa
Common during this period in Porto, the 'woodwork' in many buildings is actually finely painted plaster. This chip in the corner exposes the plaster beneath the paint.
Common during this period in Porto, the 'woodwork' in many buildings is actually finely painted plaster. This chip in the corner exposes the plaster beneath the paint.
Blue
The Arabian Hall in the Bolsa
The Arabian Hall in the Bolsa
Arabian Hall ceiling detail
Arabian Hall ceiling detail
Arabian Hall wall detail
Arabian Hall wall detail
Blue
Rua des Flores originally ran across horticultural land belonging to the Bishop. It became one of the city's most important streets where nobles built luxurious homes.
Rua des Flores originally ran across horticultural land belonging to the Bishop. It became one of the city's most important streets where nobles built luxurious homes.
Built in the 16th century and under major restoration, Casa dos Maias (No. 29) is the townhouse to the right of center.
Built in the 16th century and under major restoration, Casa dos Maias (No. 29) is the townhouse to the right of center.
St. Anthony's Church
St. Anthony's Church
The building on the right is the Porto train station.
The building on the right is the Porto train station.
The foyer of the train station is noted for its blue tiles depicting historic scenes.
The foyer of the train station is noted for its blue tiles depicting historic scenes.
This is the Lello and Irmão Bookstore in Porto. The interior is reportedly the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series written by JK Rowling, who worked in Porto for a year.
This is the Lello and Irmão Bookstore in Porto. The interior is reportedly the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series written by JK Rowling, who worked in Porto for a year.
