Porto and the North

Set at the foot of Porto's Rua da Restauração this old warehouse caught my eye. To me this somehow sums up the working part of Porto as opposed to the tourist sights side of things. This building has the Porto look about it with its mix of grandeur and neglect.

The company is Diogenes e Santos, Lda. As far as I can tell they are a wholesaler and importer of tools.

The façade of the Igreja Paroquial de Massarelos (Massarelos parish church) in Porto.  The church is a well known landmark in this part of Porto but is more often seen from the other end which backs right onto the riverside.

The church was built in the 18th century on the site of an older church that had been destroyed by fire and is dedicated to São Telmo.  There is a niche containing a statue of the saint above the main door.

A number 18 tram trundles its way along the riverside in Porto. The 18 tram route is quite short but involves climbing the rather massive hill that is Rua da Restauração. The route starts at the Porto Tram Museum, which was the old tram station, in Massarelos and ends at Carmo.

This is tram 205. The number suggests it was one of the Brill 28 "Plataforma-Salão" trams built in the late 1930s / early 1940s by CCFP (Companhia Carris de Ferro do Porto).

Looking along Porto's riverside towards Foz do Douro and the massive Ponte da Arrábida. This bridge was built in 1963 in a style that reflects that of the famous Dom Luis I bridge in the Ribeira. I couldn't say whether this was a nod to history or merely functional given both cross deep ravines. 

Looking up at the massive concrete arch that forms the Ponte da Arrabida in Porto. Built in 1963 the bridge carries six lanes of traffic 70 metres above the river Douro from Porto to Vila Nova da Gaia.

When the bridge was completed it was the largest span of any reinforced-concrete arch in the world, covering a distance of 270 metres.

The Torre de Clerigos is an iconic Baroque tower located in the centre of Porto. Built in the 18th century, it stands at a height of 75 meters and is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors are able to climb the 225 steps of the tower to gain a breathtaking view of the city. The Torre de Clerigos is something of a symbol of the city, not least because it is one of the most prominent features of the skyline.

Looking across to the beaches of Foz in Porto from the long breakwater that protects the entrance of the River Douro. 

The closest beach is Praia do Carneiro which is one of the bigger beaches this side of Matosinhos.

In the foreground is the Farolim de Felgueiras (lighthouse) which dates back to the 19th century and when this breakwater was the main protection from big northerly swells pushing up the river.

The Capela das Almas or Chapel of Souls, in Porto. Located on the corner of R. Santa Catarina and R. Fernandes Tomas this church has some of the best azulejos in Porto. The only real competition is the oft confused Igreja do Carmo and the foyer of Sao Bento Station.

Another interior view of the Igreja dos Clérigos in Porto. Most people familiar with Porto will be instantly familiar with the exterior of this building as it sits at the base of the famous Clerigos tower. However, as you can see the interior of the church itself is fairly impressive too.

In this photo you can see some of the unique oval domed roof which defines the main section of the church.

I really like this little row of cafes and restaurants tucked in behind the park at Cordoaria in Porto. Sandwiched between the university and hospital, and just a stone' throw from Clerigos, this is a popular lunch spot  for Porto's workers.

As far as I know, this row is known as Campo dos Mártires da Pátria.