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Porto Vecchio

Situated on a hill above a beautiful gulf 25 km north of Bonifacio Porto Vecchio capital of Porto dist and Douro Litoral near the mouth of the Douro River. It is Portugal’s second largest city after Lisbon and an important Atlantic port. The ancient settlement probably of pre Roman origin was known as Cale and later as Portus Cale. Porto Vecchio’s most famous export is port wine to which the city gave its name. Wine exports increased after the Methuen Treaty with England.

Historic references of the city goes back to the 5 th century and Roman times. The city was the scene for the marriage of Joao and Philippa of Lancaster symbolising the long standing military alliance between portugal and England. During the 18 th and the 19 th century the city became an important industrial center and saw its size and population increase. A two level iron bridge and a railway bridge both designed by Gustave Eiffel were constructed as well as the central railway station is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. A tram network spanning the city was also built but nowa days only one line remains going through the river and sea marginals and is mainly used by tourists.

The city’s most conspicuous landmark is the Torre dos Clerigos, a baroque tower also noteworthy are the Romanesque cathedral the two storied Dom Luis bridge across the Douro, the Serralves Museum of contemporary art, the crystal palace and Rem koolhaas’s celebrated Casa de Musica. The coastline of Porto Vecchio has several splendid golf courses, including Sogno, Santa Giulia and Cala Rossa and lovely beaches.