“Tripe eaters” is what they called them. This unflattering nickname tells a story of sacrifice and resilience. It is about the people of Porto. Our focus today is on understanding how Porto became the city it is. This is a tale that stretches back centuries. It involves Romans, kings, and a hearty appetite for tripe.
Porto began as a small Celtic settlement. It sat at the mouth of the Douro River. The Romans recognized its strategic importance. They transformed it into a vital port. They named it “Portus Cale.” From this came the name Porto. It also became the name of the entire nation of Portugal.
Over the centuries, control of Porto shifted. The Germanic Suebi and Visigoths invaded. Then came the Moors. In 868, a Christian warlord named Vímara Peres ousted the Moors. He established the first County of Portugal. This laid the foundation for Portugal as a country.
The Douro River was key to Porto’s growth. In the 14th and 15th centuries, Porto became a major trading port. It was a shipbuilding hub. Prince Henry the Navigator set sail from Porto in 1415. This marked the beginning of the Portuguese Age of Discovery.
But why the name “tripeiros”? Legend says that when Prince Henry prepared to conquer Ceuta, the people of Porto gave all the good meat to the sailors. They kept only the tripe for themselves. This act of sacrifice earned them the nickname “tripeiros.” It also led to Porto’s most famous dish: “tripas à moda do Porto.”
Wine became crucial to Porto’s economy in the 1700s. Boats carried wine down the Douro River. The Methuen Treaty in 1703 established trade relations with England. Soon, English trading posts for port wine were operating in Porto.
The 18th and 19th centuries brought growth and conflict. Napoleon’s troops invaded in 1809. People fled across the Ponte das Barcas bridge. The bridge collapsed. Many drowned. The Duke of Wellington eventually drove out the French.
Porto has a history of defending civil rights. The city withstood the Siege of Porto from 1832 to 1833. This was a battle between royalist and liberal forces. The liberal forces won. King Pedro IV honored Porto. He called it the “very noble, undefeated, and ever loyal city.”
Today, Porto is a modern city. It has a rich heritage. You can explore its historical center. Vila Nova de Gaia offers port wine lodges. They invite you in for tours and tastings.
Porto’s people cherish their traditions. They celebrate festivals, food, and wine. They invite everyone to join in. From its humble beginnings as Portus Cale to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Porto stands as a testament to resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of its people, the “tripeiros.”