History & Heritage

Discover Porto's rich architectural journey, from its Romanesque beginnings to its modern, avant-garde landmarks. Explore how the city's iconic structures narrate a story of historical depth and contemporary innovation.

Almeida Garrett, born in Porto in 1799, was a pivotal figure in 19th-century Portuguese literature and politics. Renowned for his works "Frei Luís de Sousa" and "Viagens na Minha Terra," he played a crucial role in the Liberal Revolution and the development of Portuguese theater and dramatic arts.

June 10th marks the Day of Portugal, Luís de Camões, and the Portuguese Communities, celebrating the famed poet Camões and his epic "Os Lusíadas." Once associated with the Estado Novo regime, this holiday now emphasizes global Portuguese unity. This year’s events will occur in areas affected by the 2017 fires and at the University of Coimbra, commemorating Camões' 500th birth anniversary.

The Carnation Revolution, also known as the Portuguese Revolution of 1974, marked a pivotal moment in Portugal’s history, signaling the end of the authoritarian Estado Novo regime and the dawn of a new era of democracy. On April 25th, 1974, the country witnessed a peaceful military coup led by the Armed Forces Movement (MFA), initiating profound social, political, and cultural changes.

Nicolau Nasoni’s visionary contributions to Porto’s architecture endure to this day Niccolò Nasoni, better known in Portugal as Nicolau Nasoni, was born in San Giovanni Valdarno, in the Italian Grand Duchy of Tuscany, in what is known today as the region of Florence, on June 2, 1691. As the son of Giuseppe Francesco Nasoni…

Portugal is widely recognized today for its gastronomy, climate, hospitality, culture, and its commitment to preserving its history and traditions. One unique way the Portuguese celebrate these is through the art of the famous ceramic tiles, known as “azulejos” in Portuguese. Portuguese ceramics represent a strong expression of cultural heritage and stand as a unique…

Visiting Portugal is getting to know millennia of history and culture, but visiting Guimarães is getting to know part of the Portuguese DNA. Just 50 km from Porto, Guimarães offers historic streets, monuments, religious architecture, old manor houses, palaces and museums. The name Portucale derives from the Latin, which means Portus (port) and Cale (beautiful),…