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Porto (occasionally also known as Oporto in English) is the second-largest city in Portugal, after Lisbon, and one of the major urban areas in Southern Europe and the capital of the second major great urban area in Portugal. The Porto Metropolitan Area includes an estimated 2 million people. Located along the Douro river estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres. One of Portugal's internationally famous exports, port wine, is named for Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular the adegas of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the production and export of the fortified wine.Located along the Douro river estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres, and registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Its settlement dates back many centuries, when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire. Its Latin name, Portus Cale, has been referred to as the origin for the name "Portugal", based on transliteration and oral evolution from Latin.

In 1387, Porto was the site of the marriage of John I of Portugal and Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt; this symbolized a long-standing military alliance between Portugal and England. The Portuguese-English alliance, (see the Treaty of Windsor (1386)) is the world's oldest recorded military alliance.In the 14th and the 15th centuries, Porto's shipyards contributed to the development of Portuguese shipbuilding. It was also from the port of Porto that, in 1415, Prince Henry the Navigator (son of John I of Portugal) embarked on the conquest of the Moorish port of Ceuta, in northern Morocco. This expedition by the King and his fleet, which counted among others Prince Henry, was followed by navigation and exploration along the western coast of Africa, initiating the Portuguese Age of Discovery.

Meeting of King Joao of Portugal and John of Gaunt

Chronique de France et d'Angleterre, 15th century

The wedding of Philippa and JohnFrom Chronique de France et d' Angleterre (Jean Wavrin, 15th century)

Philippa was apparently a generous and loving queen, the mother of the "Illustrious Generation" (in Portuguese, Ínclita Geração) of infantes (princes) and infantas (princesses)

Palacio da Bolsa in the Infante D. Henrique Square in the historical centre of Porto

Built in the 1800s, the Palacio da Bolsa, also known as the Stock Exchange Palace, is one of the most historic buildings in Porto, Portugal.

The Estatua do Infante D. Henrique, also known as the statue of Prince Henry the Navigator, was first installed in Porto, Portugal in 1894. The creation of sculptor, Tomás Costa, it celebrates the life of this 14th century prince who is famous for his many maritime discoveries. The prince was the fifth son of King John I who was the founder of the Dynasty of Avis.

Born in 1394, Prince Henry was a master seaman whose expeditions and military exploits are famous. He was credited for securing significant trade routes for Portugal, making the country a major power in world economics of the time. It was under the leadership of Prince Henry that Portugal sent expeditions around the Ivory Coast of Africa, which gave Portugal access to the vast riches of Africa, including gold. He was rewarded for his discoveries with many titles, including being appointed as the leader of the Order of Christ.

The monument is located near the Ribeira section of Porto. It has a very tall pedestal with the sculpture of the Prince who is turned toward the ocean and points authoritatively, as if to give orders to his men. A globe can be seen alongside the image. The pedestal has relief sculptures encrusted upon it which depict images from the life of Prince Henry.

Prince Henry the Navigator was the fifth son of King John I. Prince Henry is known for the many discoveries he made while at sea including opening up many trade routes which made Portugal and world power during the 1400s.

Mercado Ferreira BorgesThis red painted old market is now a concert house and exhibition center. An important architectural landmark of the city, was restored recently has an interesting programme with concerts and theatre plays.

Mercado Ferreira Borges located in the Infante D. Henrique Square

The Porto Cathedral is an incredible 12th century structure located in the center of Porto, Portugal. The revered Prince Henry the Navigator was said to have been baptized in this structure during the 14th century.

The Episcopal Palace of Porto (Paço Episcopal do Porto)

The Episcopal Palace of Porto (Paço Episcopal do Porto)

the Igreja de São Francisco on the Rua Infante Dom Henrique

Infante D. Henrique Square

Built in the 14th century, Igreja de São Francisco can

be found in the most

historic portion of Porto on the

Rua Infante Dom

Henrique. It was originally

built by the Franciscan

order, which was a

religious order of the Roman

Catholic Church, for

the merchant class of Portugal

Igreja de São Francisco

Located in historic Porto, Portugal, the Igreja de São Francisco, the St. Francis Church, is a fantastic structure that exemplifies Rococo and Late Baroque architectural style. During the 18th century, the interior of the church was renovated. Gilt woodwork was added to mirror Baroque style. Naves with three aisles make up the main portion of the interior of the building with three chapels on the east side, along with a large granite statue, which greets visitors, depicting St. Francis of Assisi. The structure is open to the public every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A fire, caused by the siege of Porto in 1832, destroyed the old cloisters. In its place, the Commercial Association of the city built the Stock Exchange Palace (Palácio da Bolsa), a magnificent example of 19th century Neoclassical architecture.

Igreja de São Nicolau

Infante D. Henrique Square

Tunel da Ribeira

In Portugal, azulejos are found on the interior and exterior of churches, palaces or ordinary houses

The mouth of the Tunel da Ribeira, Rua Infante Dom Henrique

Casa do Infante ou Casa da Rua da Alfandega Velha

Built in the 1300s, Casa do Infante, also known as Alfandega Velha or Old Customs House is a beautiful mansion located on the periphery of Porto, Portugal. Believed to be the first home of Prince Henry the Navigator, it has served as the residence of the royal family and eventually a customs house due to its ideal location near the river Douro. In the present day, it serves as the archives for the city of Porto an as a museum.

The alluring district of Ribeira is made up of medieval streets and seedy alleyways. It is a crumbling but fascinating place, ending at a riverfront square ("Praça da Ribeira")

The Ribeira district spreads alongside the Douro river and used to be a centre of intense commercial and manufacturing activity since the Middle Ages

Praça da Ribeira

São João Baptista by João Cutileiro (Fonte da Praça da Ribeira)Monumental fountain, three storeys high, built in the 1780s and decorated with the coat-of-arms of Portugal

The Ribeira Square (Praça da Ribeira) is a historical square included in the historical centre of the city, designated World Heritage by UNESCO.In 1491 the buildings around the square were destroyed in a fire, and the houses were rebuilt with arcades in their groundfloors. During this rebuilding campaign the square also gained a pavement made of stone slabs.

The Ribeira Square (Praça da Ribeira) also has a modern cubic sculpture by José Rodrigues (nicknamed the Cubo da Ribeira) over the remains of a 17th-century fountain.

Nowadays the Ribeira Square is a favourite spot for tourists.

Cais da Ribeira, The Soul of Porto

The black granite walls of the buildings, coloured by the hanging laundry definitely makes this city so photogenic

Capela de Nossa Senhora da Piedade Vila Nova De Gaia

Capela de Nossa Senhora da Piedade Vila Nova De Gaia

Largo Miguel Bombarda, Vila Nova de Gaia,

Ribeira The Douro is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula

Text: InternetPictures: Internet Sanda Foişoreanu Gabriela CristescuCopyrights of the photos belong to each photographer

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: José Manuel Barreto - Dádiva (Fado Santa Luzia)