Porto

InterContinental Hotel in Palácio das Cardosas in Porto; Portugal

Palácio das Cardosas | Porto, Portugal

The centre of Porto is a fabulous place for a photographer to be. In comparison with other cities in Portugal, whereby architecture is marked by baroque, the architecture of Porto is rather monumental and dominated by granite constructions.

Porto City Centre, clear sky and the Porto sign; Portugal

Porto sign | Porto, Portugal

This sign was placed just in front of the Portuguese Centre of Photography, which gave the image a very special meaning. This winter morning before the sunrise, was a perfect time to capture the installation in Porto city centre, which during the day would usually be very packed.

View of Ribeira in Porto from Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal.

Vila Nova de Gaia | Porto, Portugal

Did you know that Port wine does not originate from Porto? It actually comes from Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal, a town across Porto on the Douro river. A more interesting fact though, is that the Port wine is only stored, not produced.

Porto Praça de Carlos Alberto on a sunny day, Portugal.

Praça de Carlos Alberto | Porto, Portugal

We almost passed the square of Carlos Alberto in Porto without realising. We changed our course and slowly walk in and around the Praça de Carlos Alberto. The brilliance of the colors and cheerful atmosphere of this find, set us in the perfect mood for further sightseeing of Porto but there was more of this square to be seen.

Spring in Porto, Portugal. A river view of the D. Luis Bridge.

Spring-Time | Porto, Portugal

Many of such colorful boats, as you see in the photo, are docked along the Douro River in Porto. Most of these boats are now just touristic attractions, but back in the day, the Port wine was transported with them. Aside from these small boats owned mostly by Porto wine producers, there are many others in the harbor, which are used now for visiting the Douro valley nearby Porto.

Sunset in Porto with D. Luis Bridge and city skyline, Portugal.

Sunset with D. Luis Bridge | Porto, Portugal

Did you know that the architect who began the construction of the D. Luis Bridge was Gustav Eiffel? The same architect that constructed the Eiffel Tower. The interesting thing however, is that he didn’t actually finish this task. It was his apprentice, Theophile Seyrig who completed the construction.