You will not be disappointed if you take a walk around Porto and discover it’s beautiful monuments and museums.
Museums and palaces
Guerra Junqueiro House-Museum Rua D. Hugo, 32
Tel.: 22 2053644 Fax: 22 6057001
Open: 10:00-12:00 / 14:00-17:00 Sundays 14:00-17:00
Closed: Mondays, Holidays
This museum is housed in a beautiful 18th century building, next to Porto cathedral, and displays the private collection of the Portuguese writer Guerra Junqueiro (1850-1923). It contains largely Portuguese furniture, the highlight of which is a 14th - 15th century piece, two remarkable collections of brass and silverware, as well as ceramics and religious sculpture.
Guerra Junqueiro House-Museum Rua Nossa Senhora de FÀtima,291
Tel.: 22 2053644 Fax: 22 6057001
Open: 10:00-12:00 / 14:00-17:00 Sundays 14:00-17:00
Closed: Mondays, Holidays
This museum is housed in a beautiful 18th century building, next to Porto cathedral, and displays the private collection of the Portuguese writer Guerra Junqueiro (1850-1923). It contains largely Portuguese furniture, the highlight of which is a 14th - 15th century piece, two remarkable collections of brass and silverware, as well as ceramics and religious sculpture.
Museu de Arte Contemporanea da Fundasao Serralves Rua D. JoAo de Castro,210
The multidisciplinary perspective of the architectural design was the work of architect àlvaro Siza Vieira. Hence, in addition to the 4,500m2 of exhibition area with its emphasis on scale, proportion and light, the remaining 8,200m2 feature an auditorium, a library, a documentation centre, store, bookshop and relaxation areas including a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Park. The entire space was designed to invite reflection and the feeling of being integrated into the nature that is forever looking in from the other side of the window.
The Museum contains a valuable collection of contemporary art featuring both national and non-national artists from the 60s onwards. The Museum's mission further involves putting on both temporary exhibitions and educational programmes that seek to develop interest and deepen understanding of contemporary art and encourage dialogue between artists and their audiences.
Open
October to March
Tuesday to Sunday: 10am - 7pm
Thursday: 10am - 10pm
April to September
Tuesday to Friday: 10am - 7pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 10am - 10pm
Free entry on Sundays between 10am and 2pm
Soares dos Reis National Museum Rua D. Manuel II
Tel: 00351 22 3393770
Fax: 00351 22 2082851
Open: 10:00-13:00 / 14:00-18:00. Tuesdays 14:00-18:00
Closed: Mondays, Holidays (1 January, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 25 December).
Cafe and shop.
The museum is housed in an 18th century neo-classical palace and has a remarkable collection of 19th and 20th century Portuguese painting, in which the so-called "Porto school" of the naturalist period deserves special mention, represented here by the artists Silva Porto, Marques de Oliveira, Artur Loureiro and Henrique Pousao. There is also a collection of the most important works by the remarkable sculptor Soares dos Reis (1847-1889).
Amongst other rooms on the palace`s main floor (currently under restoration) are the dining-room and music room, where some remains of the decoration of the old palace can still be seen. This area is used for the exhibition of 17th and 18th century paintings and some collections of decorative art, including an interesting set of ceramic pieces, in particular some faience from the north of Portugal, oriental porcelain, examples of the goldsmith`s art, jewellery, glassware and furniture.
Romantic Museum of Quinta da Macieirinha Rua Entrequintas, 220
Tel: 22 6091131 Fax: 22 6068534
Open: Tues to Thur 10:00-12:30 / 14:00-17:30 Fri and Sat 10:00-12:30 / 14:00-18:00
Sundays 14:00-18:00
Closed: Mondays, Holidays
The museum has a collection of decorative art: painting, 19th century furniture and various objects that belonged to the king Carlos Alberto of Sardinia (1798-1849).
Stock Exchange Rua Ferreira Borges
Tel.: 22 3399000 Fax: 22 3399090
Open: Nov/Mar 09:00-12:30 / 14:00-17:30 Apr/Oct 09:00- 19:00
Closed: 1 January, 25 December
The stock exchange is a fine example of neo-classical architecture from the second half of the 19th century. The star attractions in this palace are the Patio das NasÓes and a beautiful granite and marble staircase, as well as several rooms decorated with remarkable paintings and furniture, of which the most famous is the Arab Room.
Monuments
Capela de Nossa Senhora de Agosto - Porto Largo de Entrada da Rua do Sol
Church from the 16th c. in renaissance style.
Castelo do Queijo
This 17C triangular fort is truncated at the end facing the sea. It is surrounded by a moat and has watchtowers in the corners. Inside are the chapel and the governor's residence.
EdifÌcio da Livraria Lello & Irmao
At no. 144 on Rua das Carmelitas, (to the west of Prasa da Liberdade), before heading in, gaze over this fascinating entrance to culture. The magnificent fasade is formed by a broad arch with its two painted figures representing Art and Science and the laced effect that covers the building have together been classified as national heritage.
Wooden benches with leather upholstery, and the wooden bookcases along the walls immediately create a welcoming environment. In the middle of the vast room, there is an ornamented staircase leading to the upper level. Its neo-gothic decoration reflects the romantic tastes of the late 19th century.
Open:
Daily: 10am to 7.30pm
Saturday: 10am to 7.00pm
Closed Sunday
Forte Sao Joao Baptista
The fort's two levels of ramparts and its consequent great defensive capacity were designed to protect the harbour entrance. The chapel is covered by a hexagonal tile-covered cupola, which also has overhanging eaves supported by brackets.
Igreja da Trindade
PraSa da Trindade
Igreja de Santa Clara
Largo do 1 de Dezembro
Church with gothic structure (15th c.) with renaissance and baroque decoration (17th / 18th c.)
Igreja de Sao Bento da Vitoria
Rua de S. Bento da Vitoria
Church from the 17th / 18th c. in neo-classic style.
Igreja de Sao Francisco
Rua do Infante D. Henrique
Church from the 14th / 15th c., modified in the 18 th c. in baroque style.
Igreja de Sao Martinho de Cedofeita - Porto
Largo do Priorado
Church from the 13th c. in romanesque style.
Igreja dos Grilos
Largo do Colegio
Church from the 16th / 17th c. in mannerist style.
Muralha Fernandina
This classification includes the belvedere and visible sections of wall: Largo do Actor Dias, Rua Arnaldo Gama, Escadas dos Guindais (leading to the belvedere), Escadas do Caminho Novo, Rua Francisco da Rocha Soares and hidden remains in Rua Madeira and Campo Martires da Patria.
Se Catedral do Porto
Terreiro da Se, Telephone : 22319028
Originally built in the 12th century, Porto Cathedral still has the original merlons and twin towers, although the towers are now topped by 18th century additions.
It has undergone various alterations over the centuries, the most important additions being the Gothic rose window and cloister (14th century), the 17th century chancel, the 18th century high altar retable and the rococo doorway.
Worthy of particular note is the work done by Nicolau Nasoni in the 18th century, especially in the murals and balconies.
Torre da Cidade
Calsada de Pedro PitÓes
Rectangular tower with three storeys, with an ogee door on the north side. Probably the keep belonging to the city walls built by King Ferdinand. Rebuilt in 1941.
Torre do Palacio dos Terenas
Rua da Boa Nova
Classified as a national monument, this rectangular tower has been altered at various points in its history. It dates originally from the first half of the fourteenth century, having been built on the orders of Pedro Sem, chancellor of the kingdom from 1336 to 1341.
Torre dos ClErigos
Rua dos ClErigos
The Church of ClErigos (Ecclesiastics) is a genuine baroque masterpiece dating from the mid-18th century. It was designed by Nicolau Nasoni, an architect of Italian origin. He stamped his mark on many monuments around Oporto and the north of Portugal. Nasoni, on his request, was buried here in a small chapel with its gateway at the same level as the top of the double bolster stairway. The front of the church shows off its highly interesting and beautiful baroque finishing with its contours, domes and spires worthy of closer inspection. The interior has but a single nave in granite and marble and covered in baroque carvings again demonstrating the skill of the architect. In the main chapel, attention is drawn to the polychromatic altarpiece by Manuel Porto.
However, what sets this construction apart is the Tower; constructed in granite protruding out of the top of the western side of the church. This is the highly distinctive landmark of Oporto. The tower extends upwards through 75 metres of elegance forming rhythmic stages before rising to its crowning glory, the spherical clock house. The baroque decoration is thoroughly delicate and off a wonderful lightness. In 1917, the Tower of ClErigos was successfully climbed by two Spanish acrobats, the Puertullanos, a father and son team, in front of an enormous crowd. This is a feat that, on looking up at the Tower, would seem impossible.
An inner staircase (240 degrees) enables access to the top. For those wishing to avoid the feats of the Puertullanos this is the best means to gain access to one of the most beautiful panoramic views over all of Oporto.
Open
Summer: 9am - 12pm / 2pm - 7pm
Winter: 10am -12pm / 2pm - 5pm
Closed Wednesday.
Torre, Capela ou Ermida de Sao Miguel-O-Anjo
Rua do Passeio Alegre
A sixteenth century construction on a rocky island in the river, designated a building of public interest and located in a Special Conservation Area. On the inside the building is octagonal, with three niches in the wall facing the river. The chapel is covered by a cupola, which can be reached by means of a spiral staircase. The tower was built to provide light to warn boats navigating the river, and is unique in Portugal. It is now on dry land.
