2005 © Oficina Virtual de Turismo

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Circuito de la Catedral

2005 © Oficina Virtual de Turismo The origin of Porto is related to the Sé hill, where proto-historic remains were found. The place, later romanized, offers a privileged belvedere over the city and the Douro River.

Departure - Terreiro da Sé, by the Casa da Câmara (old City Hall)

We suggest a visit to the old City Hall, housing a tourist welcome centre and giving you the opportunity to know a bit more about the history of the building and about alternative tours through the city.

Walking towards Avenida Afonso Henriques or Avenida Vímara Peres, on your left side you’ll find the statue of Vímara Peres, considered to be the re-establisher of the city of Portucale (bronze, 20^th century), on your right the church porch – back to back to the north elevation of the Cathedral - 18^th century, and the Anjo Fountain, 18^th century.

After crossing the Avenida Afonso Henriques or Avenida Vímara Peres, towards Largo 1º de Dezembro, you’ll find some metres ahead and at your right side the Church of the former Santa Clara Convent, from the 15^th century, with an outstanding interior, covered with gilt carving, works from the 18^th century, considered one of the most significant exemplars of baroque carving in the country.

If you intend to continue the Sé tour, move on through Travessa de Santa Clara, to your right when facing the entrance of the Santa Clara Church, where you can admire one of the sections of the D. Fernando Wall, 14th century, whose remains can still be seen on the Guindais area between the church of the former Santa Clara Convent and the D. Luís I Bridge. After crossing the Avenida Vímara Peres, back to the Calçada de Vandoma, turn left to the Rua de D. Hugo to see:

house nº 5 – with remains of the proto-historic castle, the beginning of the urban centre, as well as of the succeeding roman and medieval occupations
the Guerra Junqueiro House and Museum, 18^th century, displaying a collection of jewellery, toreutics, ceramics, furniture and textiles
the Maria Isabel Guerra Junqueiro Foundation, where you can get to know the history of Porto, in panoramic format and with quadraphonic sound effects
the Nª Srª das Verdades Chapel, end of the 17^th century, beginning of the 18^th century, and the Escadas das Verdades (stairway - former Escadas da Mentiras). A few steps down these stairway towards the Ribeira you’ll be able to admire a piece of the D. Fernando Wall and part of the D. Luís I Bridge

Back to the Rua de D. Hugo, walk around the Episcopal Palace until the Terreiro da Sé, from where you can see, clockwise: on your left side, the Douro River, in front, the Medieval Tower-House and the Sé Column, ordered by the Porto City Council in 1945, rococo style, on your right side, the statue “O Porto”, 19^th century, representing a roman warrior named “Porto”, part of the memorial of the old City Hall, right next to it. Finally, the Cathedral, 12^th century, the House of Dispatch, 18^th century, and the Episcopal Palace, 18^th century.

Before visiting the mentioned monuments, enjoy the view from this first belvedere on your left.

We suggest you take a rest while visiting the Cathedral and appreciating the baroque works, the carving in the Main Chapel and the magnificent silver altar in the Santíssimo Sacramento Chapel.

On the outside ,look on the façade for the engraving of two standard measures used in the medieval fabrics fair which used to take place in front of the building, as well as a “coca” – a typical boat from northern Europe.

Next to the cathedral, there is the Chapter Chamber, from the 18^th century, keeping tiles, a retable and paintings from the 18th century. Right ahead there is the Episcopal Palace, 18th century, designed by Nicolau Nasoni to accommodate the bishops of Porto.

On the opposite side you will find the Medieval Tower, moved from its original location during the works of the 1940s to be built where it now stands, now the headquarters of Portotours.

This tour continues through the Rua de S. Sebastião (going downwards round the Medieval Tower), the Rua da Pena Ventosa (paying attention to some restored houses), the Largo da Pena Ventosa and the Rua das Aldas, down the Escadas do Colégio (stairway), reaching the Largo Dr. Pedro Vitorino. The visit to the church of the S. Lourenço College is obligatory. It was founded in the 16^th century and its works continued until the beginning of the 18th century, when the façade was concluded. Inside you can admire exemplars of neoclassic carving and a remarkable retable of Nª. Srª. da Purificação. It houses presently the Porto Major Seminary, with a Museum of Sacred Art, which you can also visit.

Worthy of mention is the “caixa dos toques” (rings box), from the 19^th century, placed on the right side of the façade of the church. This device was used as a fire alert, a predetermined number of bell rings corresponding to each area of the city.

Down Rua de Santana you will find the remains of one of the entrances of the Wall demolished in the 19^th century, named “Arco de Santana”. Some metres ahead turn left to Rua da Bainharia, a street where there used to be the workshops of the scabbard makers, those who made the scabbards for the swords, then right at Travessa da Bainharia, which will lead you to Rua Mouzinho da Silveira, an important access to the historical centre. This street was known in a recent past for its strong commercial activity connected to agricultural products and equipments, which can still be witnessed.