European Cave Gallery

Porto, Portugal

Porto also known as Oporto is a city in Portugal and it is located along the Douro river estuary. Porto is one of the oldest European city and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. One of Portugal's famous products, port wine, is named for this city, because in the metropolitan area, and in particular the caves of Vila Nova de Gaia, are still responsible for the packaging, transport and export of the this wine

© AndreaPucci

Rabelo boats and Dom Luis I bridge in Douro river, Porto

Dom Luis I bridge and rabelo boats from Vila Nova de Gaia.
The Dom Lui?oei?oes I Bridge is a double-decked metal arch bridge that spans the Douro River between the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal. It was opened in 1886 and is one of the landmarks of the city. At the time of construction its span of 172 m was the longest of its type in the world.
The Rabelo boat is a traditional Portuguese cargo boat that for centuries was used to transport people and goods along the Douro River.
Native from the Douro region, it does not exist in any other place of the world. Its history is closely linked to the production and trade of port wine. Before the arrival of the railway, the rabelo was the fastest and the most efficient means of transport between the Douro Valley, where port wine is produced, and the city of Porto, where it was traded and exported worldwide.
Although not in use anymore, still today the Douro River holds these vessels, belonging to port wine companies, in the cities of Porto and Gaia.
Porto, also known as Oporto in English, is the second-largest city in Portugal, after Lisbon, and one of the major urban areas in Southwestern Europe. Located along the Douro river estuary in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres, and its historical core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. The western part of its urban area extends to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Its settlement dates back many centuries, when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire. One of Portugal's internationally famous exports, port wine, is named for Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular the caves of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the packaging, transport and export of the fortified wine. In 2014, Porto was elected The Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency

© AmaiaArozena&GotzonIraola

View of Ribeira district from Douro river with the Church of San Francisco and Portos Cathedral in the background

View of Ribeira district from a boat in the Douro river with the Church of San Francisco and Porto's Cathedral in the background. Ribeira district is a historical square in Porto, Portugal and it is included in the historical centre of the city, designated World Heritage by UNESCO. The Ribeira district spreads alongside the Douro river and used to be a center of intense commercial and manufacturing activity since the Middle Ages. Nowadays the Ribeira Square is a favorite spot for tourists.
The Igreja de SA£o Francisco (Church of Saint Francis) is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto, Portugal, being also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration.
Porto's Cathedral (Portuguese SA© do Porto) is the episcopal seat of the diocese of Porto in Portugal. It is located in the heart of the historic center of the city and is one of the largest and oldest monuments.
The beginning of its construction dates from the first half of the twelfth century and lasted until the early thirteenth century. That first building, Romanesque, underwent many alterations over the centuries.
Porto, also known as Oporto in English, is the second-largest city in Portugal, after Lisbon, and one of the major urban areas in Southwestern Europe. Located along the Douro river estuary in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres, and its historical core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. The western part of its urban area extends to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Its settlement dates back many centuries, when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire. One of Portugal's internationally famous exports, port wine, is named for Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular the caves of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the packaging, transport and export of the fortified wine. In 2014, Porto was elected The Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency