Porto has always been a rival of Lisbon in terms of economic and cultural prowess. It has also been known as Oporto. In fact, the name of this entire country comes from a distortion of the Latin name of the city, Portus Cale.
Porto is famous for its ambitious spirit, distinctive culture, community, and local culinary art. Porto is famous for its ambitious spirit, distinctive culture, community, and local culinary art. The ancient Centre of Porto, the Ribeira, has been granted World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 1996.
History of Porto
Porto had been inhabited even before the Roman times, but it is the imperial Romans who gave it name, fame, and money through the Mediterranean trade. But it was in trade with the British Isles and Africa that Porto really made its name. The 14th and 15th centuries saw the rapid expansion of the Portuguese fleet, which was executed in the dockyards of Porto. Porto has the rare distinction of being one of the few European cities to never have been captured in war.
Culturally Porto throughout its history has been a rich producer of famous personalities. Singers and poets, filmmakers, and painters have been born and raised in this very classical city.
Location of Porto
Porto is the capital of the region of Grande Porto in Norte, Portugal at the coordinates 41º9’N and 8º38’W.
Reaching Porto
Porto is wonderfully connected to the rest of Europe and the Americas. Regular flights to the best cities in Europe and America through the state-of-the-art airport of Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. It is also connected to the rest of Portugal by its railways through Campanha, which also connects with the suburban and metro railways. The central railways also serve the Sao Bento station. Apart from the extensive metro network, there is also a bus and taxi network which ply the city through its many spectacular bridges.
