Porto and the North

A couple of mopeds parked up on one of the back lanes of the Foz district of Porto. I say back lanes, but then again most of the lanes are like this in the old part of Foz, once you move back from the riverside and coast.

Edging the old Jewish Quarter (judiaria) of Lamego, the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Salzedas became one of the richest monasteries in Portugal when it was founded in the mid-1100s. While some would say it's now showing its age, careful preservation is continuing to ensure this important historic monument survives for a further 900-plus years.

Situated on the far bank of the Douro from Porto's Ribeira district is Vila Nova de Gaia (or just Gaia). Despite its location Gaia is actually a city in its own right and extends quite some way from the riverside. Although being just at the other end of Porto's famous Dom Luis bridge this is a fairly arbitrary distinction for most visitors.

As the River Lima meanders its way through picture-postcard countryside towards the coast at Viana do Castelo it passes through it passes through any number of charming, ancient villages. Of all these it is Ponte de Lima which stands out.

At Vila do Conde you get the best of both worlds; the fascinating historic old town and a long stretch of beautiful sandy beach. While it is a good 20 minute walk from the town centre to the seafront it is more than worth it, and quite a contrast.

Set on a hilltop in Porto's city centre are the Gardens of the Palácio de Cristal. An 8 hectare expanse of landscaped gardens offering panoramic views of the city and Douro River below.  

Created towards the end of the 19th century the layout of the gardens is the work of eminent German landscape gardener Émille David. The park features a wonderful mixture of formal and semi-formal landscaped areas with terraces tumbling down the steep valley side towards the river.

View across the courtyard of the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (Paço dos Duques de Bragança) in Guimarães. To the right you can see the chapel entrance with its Romanesque era portico.

The building was commissioned during the 15th century but within a hundred years it had been left to go to ruin. However, during the early 1900s it was extensively renovated by the state, although to a large extent, not in keeping with the original design.

View of the facade of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos in Guimarães. This Baroque style church dates back to 1785. Previous to this the site was home to a small 16th hermitage also dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the church are its two towers which were added almost a century after the rest was completed.

Porto's riverside quarter, known as the Ribeira, is one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods and certainly one of its highlights. The area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and it does not disappoint.

Historically the quayside here was one of the busiest points on the River Douro with cargo from both up and down-stream landed here before the short journey to the centre of the city. Today it is equally bustling but the major trade here is now tourism.

These tomb like structures are known as espigueiros. There is actually nothing macabre about their purpose and the are in fact grain stores.

They are only found in the northern border regions of Portugal but I have also seen them in Galicia in Spain. These particular espigueiros are located in the village of Soajo in the Peneda-Gerês National Park.