What if these walls could talk? The Palácio Corrêa de Mello stands before us. It is a silent witness to Porto’s ever-changing story.
Let me paint you a picture of Porto itself. It is Portugal’s second-largest city after Lisbon. Porto sits along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal. The city’s history stretches back to the 2nd century BC. Back then, it was a Roman Empire outpost. The city’s combined Celtic-Latin name, Portus Cale, is believed to be the origin of the name Portugal.
Now, think about the essence of Porto. This is a global city. It earned a Gamma + rating from the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. Porto’s historic core became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The designation includes the Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar.
Imagine the 14th and 15th centuries. Porto’s shipyards contributed to Portuguese shipbuilding. Prince Henry the Navigator set sail from Porto in 1415. He embarked on the conquest of Ceuta in northern Morocco. This launched Portuguese exploration along the African coast. People from Porto are still known as tripeiros. This nickname dates back to when quality meat was shipped out. Locals were left with off-cuts like tripe.
Consider the 18th century. The Douro valley wine was transported to Porto. Flat-bottomed boats called barcos rabelos were used. The Methuen Treaty in 1703 established trade and military alliance. This was between Portugal and England. English firms gradually dominated the port wine trade. The Marquis of Pombal created a Portuguese firm. This was to control wine from the Douro valley. He demarcated the port wine region. This ensured wine quality.
Remember the Peninsular War. Napoleonic troops invaded Porto in 1809. Thousands died when the Ponte das Barcas collapsed. They were fleeing the French. Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, drove the French out. He crossed the Douro River using wine barges.
Think about the 1820 Liberal Revolution that started in Porto. Revolutionaries demanded the return of John VI from Brazil. They wanted a constitutional monarchy. Porto rebelled again in 1828. The city withstood an eighteen-month siege by absolutist forces. Porto earned the nickname “Cidade Invicta”. This means Unvanquished City.
Consider the Ponte D. Maria II. It replaced the collapsed Ponte das Barcas. Gustave Eiffel designed the Ponte D. Maria railway bridge. Théophile Seyrig, Eiffel’s former partner, built the Ponte Dom Luís I.
Now think about modern Porto. The historic center became a UNESCO site in 1996. Porto was the European Capital of Culture in 2001. Many urban projects were initiated.
Remember the Universidade do Porto. It is one of Europe’s best universities. The city has numerous gardens. The Crystal Palace gardens are well known.
As you stand before the Palácio Corrêa de Mello reflect on Porto’s spirit. It is a city of resilience. It is a city of innovation. It is a city of history.