Surveying the landscape from this vantage, do you know what the Calvelo actually is? The Calvelo in Porto is a survey point. It aids in aerial imagery rectification. Let’s explore the fascinating history of this region.
Porto’s story starts long before it became the city we know today. The Romans called it Portus Cale. This name would eventually give the country of Portugal its name.
Around 136 BC, Roman general Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus conquered this area. He established Portus Cale. This city became a vital commercial port. It facilitated trade between Olisipo which is modern Lisbon and Bracara Augusta which is modern Braga.
As the Roman Empire waned, the Suebi, a Germanic people, took control between 410 and 584. They settled mainly in Braga, Porto, Lugo, and Astorga. Braga, or Bracara Augusta, became their capital. Trade declined and Portus Cale suffered.
The Visigoths then conquered the Suebi in 584. The area around Cale became known as Portucale. In 711, the Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula, taking Portus Cale.
In 868, Vímara Peres, a Christian warlord, was sent to reconquer the area from the Moors. He secured the land between the Minho and Douro rivers, including Portus Cale. He then founded the First County of Portugal. Portus Cale became the area of today’s Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
The name “Portugal” has interesting possible origins. One theory suggests it comes from the Castro people or Callaeci. Cala might have been a Celtic goddess. The word “Cale” may derive from the Celtic word for port. This suggests very old links to pre-Roman Celtic languages.
Another story says Gatelo named Braga Porto Gatelli. Others say he gave the name to Porto. Some historians even argue Greeks first settled Cale, calling it “beautiful” in Greek.
The name Portus Cale evolved into Portugale. By the 9th century, Portugale referred to the region between the Douro and Minho rivers. The Minho became the northern border between Portugal and Galicia.
Remember, the Calvelo stands at 724.43 meters. Its height is 2.49 meters. Survey points like this are crucial for accurate mapping. They ensure that aerial images align correctly with ground measurements.
Porto is known as Invicta, meaning invincible. The city earned this nickname during the 19th-century Portuguese civil war. Porto withstood a siege of over a year.
Locals are called Tripeiros. This name dates back to 1415. Before an expedition to Ceuta, citizens donated their meat reserves to soldiers. They were left with only tripe to eat. This nickname is worn with pride.
Porto is indeed a city of layers. From its Roman roots to its modern accolades as a top European destination, its story is rich and complex. The Calvelo in Porto is more than just a survey point. It is a reminder of the rich history and strategic importance of this region.