Porto, Portugal, is a magical modern city in Europe that you can explore. But how much do you know about this port city?

If you are considering traveling to Portugal, you might want to learn more about the country. Therefore, this is probably why you clicked on this link. We are here to provide you with the information you desire.

Our primary focus is on providing information about travel and the history of these locations.

If you have not been to Portugal, you are in for a treat, as the Country has much to offer. If you are currently here or have been to Portugal, you may want to learn more about the cities.

No matter your understanding of Portugal, you have come to the right place. The two largest cities are Lisbon and Porto. In this article, we will discuss the history of Porto, Portugal.

History and Culture

Anyone who has visited this wonderful city will know that it is rich in history and culture. Strolling the streets of Porto, you will be blessed with towering cathedrals, Baroque churches, and majestic bridges. The city’s skyline is truly a sight to behold, with the beautiful backdrop of the Douro River running through it.

The history of Porto, Portugal, is full of wonder, excitement, and intrigue. While visiting Portugal’s second-largest city, you can’t help but look around and consider how this city came to be. You may wonder, how did Porto get its name? How did this city become one of Portugal’s most important port cities? Let’s dive deep into the history of this fantastic city and find out.

Where is Porto in Portugal?

Before we unravel the mysteries of the city’s past, let’s first establish where Porto is. Porto is located in the north of Portugal on the Douro River estuary. It is about 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, making it an ideal location for a port city.

Porto lies north of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, and its location has played a significant role in its history. The city’s location also made it a key trade route between Portugal and other parts of Europe. After all, Porto is known for its wine, so it’s no wonder the city became a hub for trade.

How Did Porto Get Its Name?

Many years ago, our beloved Porto was initially formed by the Celts, although it was known as Cale or Callaici back then. The group known as The Celts were people from various tribes who shared some similarities and inhabited multiple parts of Europe, such as Britain, France, and Ireland. Thanks to their iron engineering abilities, they were known for being highly advanced for that period, hence their time being known as the Iron Age.

With the ever-expanding Roman empire, the Celts’ land was slowly being taken over. Once occupied by The Romans, they renamed the province Portus Cale, which meant ‘Port of Cale,’ with ‘Cale’ being a nod to its Celtic roots.

Portus Cale eventually morphed into Portucale and then to Portugal, as we know it today. As for the city of Porto, ‘Port’ is derived from the Roman-appointed Latin word Portus, which means “port” or ‘harbor’. That’s right, Porto got its name from being a harbor city!

The History of Porto Portugal

Now that we know how Porto got its name and have dipped our toe slightly into the city’s background, let’s take a deeper look into the history of Porto, Portugal.

The Roman Empire and Beyond

Throughout history, Porto had multiple names and changed hands quite a few times.

Following the settlement of the Romans, the King of the Visigoths, Theodoric II, decided to invade Portus Cale and succeeded in his efforts in the year 456. Unfortunately, the Visigoths only enjoyed their victory until 716, when the Moorish Muslim invasion took the land.

The Moors held onto the land until Alfonso III of Asturias, also known as Alfonso the Great, decided to take matters into his own hands and liberated the city from Moorish rule in 868. Then, in 997, Christian crusaders captured the city’s northern parts while the Moor continued their power in the south.

It wasn’t until 1092 that the city was liberated entirely from Moorish rule and was utterly dominated by the Christians. Following this, Portugal’s independence was starting to take shape. The King of Leon was defeated in 1139 by Alfonso Enriquez, who was then noted as the first King of Portugal five years later.

The Age of Discovery

In the 14th and 15th centuries, Portugal was at the forefront of European exploration. In 1415, Henry the Navigator, son of King John I of Portugal, led a Portuguese fleet to victory against the Moors in the Battle of Ceuta. This victory welcomed a new era of Portuguese exploration alongside Porto’s ever-famous shipyards, making the city a maritime activity hub.

Portuguese explorers such as Vasco da Gama sailed to far-flung corners of the globe, opening up new trade routes and bringing wealth and influence to Portugal. Porto prospered during this time as a major center for shipbuilding and trade, creating many things to do in Porto Portugal. Since then, the inhabitants of Porto were named ‘tripeiros,’ meaning tripe eaters, a nod to how the citizens were given the leftovers from sailors’ provisions to eat.

The Golden Age

Porto was one of the many cities that opposed Portugal and Spain’s unity. Known as the Iberian Union, which lasted from 1580 to 1640, this was an era when the same monarch ruled both countries. The Union was deeply unpopular in Portugal and quickly led to public uprisings in Lisbon.

In the 18th century, Portugal regained its independence from Spain and entered what is known as a ‘Golden Age.’ The Golden Age was a period of great prosperity for Porto, with the city becoming well-known for its wines. Port wine, in particular, became hugely popular and is still one of the things Porto is most famous for today.

Following this time, the history of Porto, Portugal, took a liberal turn. In 1820, the Liberal Revolution kicked off, with Porto at the forefront of the need for a constitutional monarchy. King Miguel, an absolutist monarch, was forced into exile, and a liberal constitution was established.

Portugal’s Modern Porto

In recent years, Porto has undergone a renaissance of sorts. The city center has been revitalized and has a thriving art and music scene. Not to mention, UNESCO declared the city a World Heritage Site in 1996 in recognition of its unique history and architecture.

If you’re looking for things to do in Porto, Portugal, you’ll be spoiled for choice. From exploring the historic areas to sampling the delicious port wine, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful city. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Porto, Portugal:

Explore the Ribeira district
Check out the Sandeman Museum Cellar
Watch a show at Casa Música
Visit the Palacio da Bolsa
Wander through the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
Browse the Livraria Lello Bookshop

Atypical Last Thoughts

The History of Porto Portugal is rich and varied. From its humble beginnings as a Roman naval base to its golden age as a hub of exploration and trade, Porto has always been a place of importance. These days, it is beloved by tourists from all over the globe who come to enjoy the various things to do in Porto Portugal, including witnessing its stunning architecture, eating delicious food, and drinking world-famous port wine!

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