Porto, the city that gave rise to the name of the country, derived from its Roman name “Portus Cale”, was also the capital of the Porto county. Known as the Invicta City, the result of the heroic resistance of almost a year to the siege that fell upon it by D. Miguel during the liberal wars.
With pre-Roman origins, it was also occupied by Arabs for around a century and a half until it was taken over again by Christians in the Iberian reconquest. It was pivotal in the accession to the throne of D. João I, master of Avis, having played a primordial role in Portuguese monarchical history, and another role that is less known, as it is in this city that Infante D. Henrique, one of the most important characters, was born. of the beginning of the Portuguese discoveries.
It has always been an important point in the national economy, either because historically it is in the northern region that the industry is concentrated, or because it is from here that one of the most precious nectars we have to offer the world comes from: Port Wine, a fortified wine that its fermentation is interrupted by the addition of wine brandy, having a unique profile in the glass.
The city is bathed by the Douro, and on the opposite side of the bank is the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Still, the charm of this city is intrinsically linked to the river, with its pier for rabelo boats, the Port Wine advertising panels, the D. Luís I bridge or the fantastic view we have from the Serra do Pilar monastery. Like Lisbon, it also has an important port for the national economy nearby and there has always been a healthy rivalry between Lisbon, home of the court and the bourgeoisie, and Porto, where industrialists and wealthy businessmen met. Unlike Lisbon, the historic center of Porto is a World Heritage Site, an accolade to join others, such as the European Capital of Culture, in 2001. Don't forget to try the famous “Francesinha”, a typical dish from the region that is impossible to resist!