News

Parque das Virtudes
23 November, 2024 / , ,

Next to the Fonte das Virtudes there is a very peculiar vertical garden, which also belonged to the Casa dos Albuquerques.

It’s a terraced park in the valley where the Rio Frio used to run, which was designed by José Marques Loureiro, a landscape gardener, and which was owned by the Companhia Hortícola Portuense at the end of the 18th century.

This garden has a remarkable variety of tree species, as it was used for many years as a florist’s shop selling plants.
Today it is municipal property and is full of tall trees, including the largest Ginkgo Balboa in the country, at around 35 metres.

It has an entrance at the bottom, on Rua Azevedo de Albuquerque, and another at the top, behind the Palace of Justice.

It’s a hidden garden, known to few, but definitely worth a visit, with a fantastic view over the River Douro.

Armazém da Alma
19 November, 2024 / , ,

Located on Pr. Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, Armazém da Alma is a unique space that combines charm and nostalgia.

In this shop, you’ll find a special selection of gifts and souvenirs that capture the essence of the city, as well as a variety of carefully chosen vintage products, ranging from decoration and accessories to collectors’ items.

With a cosy atmosphere full of history, Armazém da Alma is the ideal place for those looking for original gifts or vintage pieces that tell stories and bring a special soul to everyday life.

Porto welcomes National Platform and celebrates 15 years of ESN Porto
19 November, 2024 / , ,

From 8 to 10 November, Porto hosted the National Platform, an event organised by ESN Porto that brought together representatives and volunteers from the various sections of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) in Portugal. During this weekend of sharing and training, strategies and activities were debated with the aim of strengthening the impact of the international student support network in the country.

In addition to the formal sessions, the meeting included social responsibility initiatives, including the ‘Solidarity Kitchen’ project, where food was donated to the Homeless Support Centre (CASA) and ReFood. The initiative aimed to promote solidarity and the fight against food waste, emphasising ESN’s social commitment.

This edition of the National Platform had a special significance, celebrating ESN Portugal’s 15th anniversary, a milestone that symbolises the network’s ongoing commitment to providing an enriching experience for international students.

To add to this, ESN Porto recently launched a merchandising line dedicated to these students, offering them the chance to take home a unique souvenir of the city.

Praça Carlos Alberto
19 November, 2024 / , ,

This square dates back to distant times and is the result of a junction of the old roads that, leaving together from the Olival Gate of the Fernandina Walls, next to the Cadeia da Relação, led to Braga (via the current Rua de Cedofeita) and Guimarães (via the current Rua das Oliveiras).

The earliest known document dates back to 1638, and at that time it was called ‘Largo dos Ferradores’ (Farriers’ Square), because this was where the mounts were prepared for the journey. It was also a place for inns.

In Largo dos Ferradores, in the eighteenth-century mansion of the Viscounts of Balsemão (where the Porto City Council’s Municipal Directorate for Culture is now located), the Hospedaria do Peixe was located in the mid-nineteenth century.

The square was also popularly known as Feira das Caixas (Box Fair), because the boxes for the luggage that the emigrants took to Brazil were made in one of the carpenters’ tents around here.

In February 1791, the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was inaugurated in this square, with the Carmel Hospital building.

From July 1853 until February 1910, Praça de Carlos Alberto, to be precise, in front of Tabacaria Havaneza, was the terminal stop for the Empreza Portuense de Carros Ripert vehicle, a heavy wooden and iron horse-drawn cart that made the daily connection to São Mamede de Infesta.

On 12 August 1874, the first American car from Oporto, a direct ancestor of the tram, also departed from this square on the route to Cadouços, in Foz do Douro.

For many years, this was the place where the fair for farm labourers and maids was held. It came here from Praça da Corujeira, and from here it was transferred to the Rotunda da Boavista in 1876. The young men and women came from the suburbs and agreed their working conditions here with their future employers.

In the 20th century, on 9 April 1928, the Monument to the Dead of the Great War, designed by Henrique Moreira, was inaugurated in Carlos Alberto Square

The name of this square and the theatre in Rua das Oliveiras pays homage to King Charles Albert of Sardinia, who was stripped of his throne in 1849 after the defeat at the Battle of Novara on 23 March of that year.

He was exiled to Porto for three months before his death.

He lived in the Palacete dos Viscondes de Balsemão in the same square, and died at Quinta da Macieirinha, where the current Romantic Museum is located.

Costa Brothers Portuguese sailors, to the conquest of Tokyo
25 March, 2021 / , ,

The Costa brothers, as they are known in sailing, Pedro and Diogo, are 24 and 23 years old, respectively, and achieved the last wave of access to the Olympic Games in the World Championship of the Olympic Class held in Vilamoura. In the same championship, they were also vice world champions.

They are Engineering students from FEUP, born in Porto, and have been sailing since they were 6 years old. They only joined in 2012, and in 2014 they started competing internationally.

They were two-time 420 national champions in 2015 and 2016 and that year they achieved a historic achievement for Portugal, they won the 420 World Championship in San Remo.

After the 420 World title, they started the Campaign for the Tokyo Olympic Games and they achieved this feat in Portugal, Vilamoura, at the last opportunity, having, in the medal race, achieved the silver medal. The whole fleet of this world championship is qualified for the 2021 Olympic Games.

Sugestões de Pedro Costa

Bar : Adega Leonor

Restaurante : Alma do Cachorro

Local: Guindais

Sugestões de Diogo Costa

Bar : Miradouro Ignez

Restaurante : Alma do Cachorro

Local: Serra do Pilar

Porto is the city of the Camellias
23 March, 2021 / ,

Porto is a vast garden of Camellias planted along the Douro.

These flowers give life and joy to the city of Porto, during sad and grey winter days.

Even in Porto’s cemeteries there are Camellias.

As a way to celebrate this flower, every year Porto is invaded by the Camellia Week in the 2nd week of March, which unfortunately cannot happen this year.

Organized for the first time in 1984, in the Ferreira Borges Market, this exhibition has travelled to various places in the city, such as the Municipal Library, the Monastery of São Bento da Vitória, Serralves, or the Palácio da Bolsa

Year after year, this event arouses the curiosity and enthusiasm of many camellia admirers, collectors and producers, and invites the public to get to know and appreciate the different species of this winter flower, which today abounds and spreads colours throughout the city’s gardens.

The main growers who, over the years, have perfected the cultivation of this flower, multiplying it in the most varied species, have sprinkled the gardens of the city of Porto with colour and shapes.

Camellias are a natural and cultural heritage of Porto.

Porto is a river among camellias.

So, here are some Places to find Camellias:

– Jardim Botânico
– Palácio de Cristal – Gardens and Library
– Museu Romântico
– Casa Tait
– Jardim S Lazaro
– Rotunda da Boavista
– Antiga Igreja de Cedofeita
– Jardim do Marquês
– Parque da Cidade
– Cemitérios de Agramonte e Prado do Repouso

The Women’s Garden
20 January, 2021 / ,

Inaugurated in 1834, Jardim Marques de Oliveira, is a romantic concept, with the shadow of its great magnolias, its imposing lilies, the colour of its camellias and the sounds of the central lake.

Jardim de São Lázaro is the oldest municipal garden in Porto.

Its name comes from the old medieval leprosarium, which was installed there at the beginning of the 16th century and was demolished in the 18th century.

This fresh garden is a pleasant surprise for those who pass by, because it is very well cared for and leafy.

It was designed by João José Gomes, the first municipal gardener of Porto, and still presents its original design today.
The fountain, the bandstand, and the sculptures scattered around the garden, by several nationally renowned artists such as Soares dos Reis, stand out.

During the Portuguese Civil War, Porto was surrounded by a siege between July 1832 and August 1833. It was a very heavy siege for the people of Porto: to the attacks of the D. Miguel troops were added silent enemies such as cholera, typhus, hunger and cold, which transformed the beautiful trees of the “Invicta” into firewood for the population.

On 27 January 1833, King Pedro IV ordered the construction of the Garden of São Lazaro, dedicated to the women of this city, to somehow compensate them for the hard trials faced during the Siege. It was intended to be a place for the ladies of Porto

Although modest in size and sparse in sight, it quickly became popular with the fine society – a must-see place for the families of Porto.

For 30 years, this miniature Public Walk, was the centre of the city’s fancy and fashion.

With no view of the Douro valley, no wide and airy walks, it nevertheless contains a soft perfume, which contrasts with the urban environment in which it is inserted.

It is the meeting point for retired people who play cards, a point of passage of many places, a place of rest for tourists. Close to the Faculty of Fine Arts, it is also very frequented by students.

To the east of the garden is the Municipal Public Library and to the south, the magnificent baroque façade of the old convent of St. Lazaro, attributed to Nicolau Nasoni.

The garden is the only one in the city that is still surrounded by a railing.

It is one of the most beautiful romantic gardens in Porto.

Learn about Siza Vieira through his work
7 October, 2020 / , ,

The most renowned Portuguese architect has designed  created homes, museums, schools and even a metro station in the area of ​​greater Porto.

The Casa de Chá/Restaurante da Boa Nova and the Piscina das Marés, both in Leça da Palmeira, are two of the most famous works of this architect. Dating from the 60s, an early stage of his career, both are located in the hometown where he was born. In addition, in Matosinhos, the Monument in honour of the poet António Nobre, the esplanade of Leça da Palmeira or the swimming pool of the Quinta da Conceição are other examples of the work of the Pritzker Prize winner.

In Porto there are also several public spaces designed by Siza Vieira, such as the Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade do Porto (Porto Faculty of Architecture), the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Serralves Foundation; projects which were completed in the 90’s. Siza Vieira’s trait also exists in social housing, such as the San Vittore district or the neighborhood of Bouça, in office buildings and even the tomb of the poet Eugenio Andrade.

Among his most recent works and more visible to the general public are, for example, the renewal of the Avenida dos Aliados and the metro station of Sâo Bento, both located in the city centre.

Siza Vieira is also responsible for the new Chapel Afurada in Vila Nova de Gaia, which will soon be built. Marco de Canaveses, Gondomar and Vila do Conde are also cities with projects created by the architect.

Axis Golfe Ponte de Lima
28 September, 2020 / ,

The Axis Golfe Ponte de Lima, opened on September 15, 1995.

With 18 holes for a par of 71 with 6005 meters, located 2 km from Ponte de Lima, and about 70 km from Porto, with access by the highway.

In a typical rural area of ​​Minho, the golf course is a mixture of plain and mountain, with the first 9 holes in the hills, and the second in a flat area.

These unique characteristics of northern Portugal delight players with fantastic views of the Lima River valley, as well as contact with the typical Minho life.

Halfway between holes 1, 10, 9 and 18, the Club House is located, where you can find various services, in which we highlight a Golf store, equipment rental, restaurant, bar, terrace, saunas, swimming pool and 2 tennis courts.

In the surrounding area, the accommodation options are attractive and have all the facilities to provide its guests with comfortable and quiet stays. We can advise the Axis Ponte de Lima Golf Resort Hotel

Rua do Sobreiro n.º 533, Fornelos
4990-625 Ponte de Lima

Tel: (+351) 258 743 414
E-mail: reservas@axisgolfe.com
www.axishoteisegolfe.com

Estela Golf Club
27 September, 2020 / ,

Founded on October 27, 1987, with 6148 meters in length and 18 exciting and challenging holes, playing at the luxurious Estela Golf Club means having as a backdrop three kilometers of coastline in the Atlantic Ocean.

Exclusive access to the beach and refreshed by the Atlantic breeze clime in summer and heated by the Gulf stream in winter complete the dream scenario.

The comfort and beauty of its Club House, with its traditional and authentic cuisine, captivate its countless visitors who, in the year 2018 alone, exceeded ten thousand.

The field:
The fairways of Estela Golf Club are narrow, especially in the landing areas, and are surrounded by dunes, so the pressure is on the tee shot.
There are few fairway bunkers at Estela Golf Club, as the dunes and the various lakes on the course form natural obstacles of rare beauty.
The greens at Estela Golf Club are firm and fast. To get there it takes effort and skill, but once there most shots to the greens are opened allowing the ball to roll.

Lugar do Rio Alto
Estela 4570-242 Póvoa de Varzim

Tel: (+351) 252 601 814
E-mail: geral@estelagolf.pt
www.estelagolf.pt