News

Suggestions – Elien Declerck (Erasmus)
15 October, 2018 / , ,

Nationality: Belgian

International experience: internship and currently living and working in Porto, the city where she moved to after meeting her boyfriend there.

  1. A suggestion of a restaurant to go in Porto

Bira dos namorados, in the street of Ceuta. It is a restaurant that recently opened, but which already existed in Braga. It is a hamburger and pregaria place, with a simple but very good menu. I love the space because it is filled with quaint motifs with its own style and it is almost all built through reused materials.

 

  1. A bar that you really need to know

Capela Incomum, in Travessa do Carregal, in the area of ​​Cedofeita. It is a bar inside an old chapel of the nineteenth century.

 

  1. A tour of Porto

I highly recommend a bike ride along the river Douro to Foz. There are several places along the Ribeira where you can rent a bike, so there are no excuses for not doing this tour. Then, when you get to Foz, you must eat fish in one of the restaurants!

 

  1. A place to study

E-Learning Café in the Botanical Garden. In addition to being a space to study, the e-learning café also organizes various academic and cultural events. The garden is the perfect setting to take a break and a picnic before returning to study.

 

  1. A secret of the city of Porto

The secret ingredient of Francesinha’s sauce! I have not found it yet. Porto has several good restaurants to eat francesinha. My favorite is the restaurant Santiago. That’s where I ate my first one and I was a fan!

Praça Gomes Teixeira (Praça dos Leões)
12 October, 2018 / , ,

The centre of Porto’s student life, this square is named after an illustrious mathematician, but it is the lions of its imposing fountain that have made it known.

The official designation of this square in Baixa do Porto is homage to Gomes Teixeira, a mathematician who was the first rector of the University of Porto. However, it is best known for the Praça dos Leões (Lions Square), due to the granite and bronze fountain that exists in the central zone.

In fact, this place dates much earlier than the fountain and even the university itself. According to legend, in the 12th century, the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques and his wife, D. Mafalda, were on their way to Guimarães when the queen fell on a precipice. In that moment of distress, each element of the couple invoked a saint. Grateful for having rid themselves of the danger, they built chapels in that place, Nossa Senhora da Graça and São Miguel-o-Anjo (already demolished).

Already in the XVII century the Convento dos Carmelitas (where the GNR barracks is nowadays) and colleges where orphans were housed, which led to this place was also known as Largo do Carmo or Campo dos Meninos  Órfãos. Later, and because flour and bread were sold there, it was also known as Praça do Pão (Bread Square) or Praça da Feira do Pão (Bread Market Square). Already in the XIX century, it became Praça dos Voluntários da Rainha, thus honoring the liberal battalion of the Portuguese army that had occupied the Convento dos Carmelitas.

When the University of Porto was created, it was renamed Praça da Universidade and, later, Praça Gomes Teixeira.

The current building of the Rectory of the University of Porto was built throughout the nineteenth century and it also served as the Faculty of Sciences and Engineering. The square then gained a new life; the presence of the students was decisive for the emergence of cafes, such as the mythical Café Âncora d’Ouro (better known as O Piolho), bookstores and other services linked to academic life. The shops and warehouses nearby also created, along with the people of Porto and who visited the city, the habit of shopping in this area.

Nowadays it is one of the main places in Porto for nightlife activities and it continues to be a meeting point in the main moments of the academic life of the city, such as Queima das Fitas or the Reception to the new students of the University of Porto.

The churches of Carmo and Carmelitas, separated by the narrowest house of the city, are another point of interest in the place.

 

The fountain

Imposing, this emblematic source was commissioned by the Companhia das Águas do Porto in 1882, with the purpose of supplying water to that area of ​​the city. Built in France by the Compagnie Générale des Eaux pour l’Etranger, it is 8 meters in diameter and 6 meters high, consisting of a granite tank and a central bronze fountain with four winged lions and seated at the ends. Two cups on the top complete the decoration of this fountain, once protected by an iron fence.

Praça de Liège
9 October, 2018 / ,

This garden in Foz do Douro is a tribute to war heroes. It has been recently renovated and is the perfect place to enjoy moments of tranquility.

Until 1914 this square had the designation of Largo da Monte da Luz, since this was the name of that area of ​​the Foz do Douro. However, a war episode would change the name of the place. The German invasion of Liège during World War I, and the heroic way in which the inhabitants of this Belgian city beat each other, have caused a great wave of solidarity in Oporto and in various Portuguese towns. On October 8, 1914 the proposal for the attribution of the name of Praça de Liège at Largo da Monte da Luz was approved.

This garden, known for its great tranquility, was recently renovated, in an intervention that recovered the pavement and the two pergolas. The fountain in the central zone of the garden was also recovered.

Douro Academy
7 October, 2018 / ,

The Douro Academy is the perfect location for all your surfing and canoeing experiences.

The academy is located in the Douro Marina, in Vila Nova de Gaia, in one of the most beautiful landscapes of the north region next to the Douro River and with the ocean in sight. The location is therefore ideal for those who practice or want to learn water sports. You can bring your boat or board or rent equipment from the academy.

Whether it is for training, learning or sightseeing, the Douro Academy has several experiences available that allow you to enjoy the scenery while playing sports. Surf, Stand Up Paddle (SUP), Surfski and Kayak Surf classes are available, as well as kayak and SUP tours, ideal for enjoying the beauty of the Douro’s shores.

 

The prices and terms of participation are explained in detail on the website.

www.douroacademy.com.

Information:

Douro Academy

Douro Marina
Rua da Praia, Vila Nova de Gaia
GPS: 41º 08’ 35’’ N | 8º 39’ 02” W

Tel: + 351 914 322 630

E-mail: info@douroacademy.com

 

António de Sousa Pereira – 20th Rector of the University of Porto
7 October, 2018 / ,

Graduate, master and doctor in Medicine by ICBAS, it was in this faculty of the University of Porto where he developed his entire academic career. In April of this year, he was elected by the General Council as Rector of the University of Porto for the 2018-2022 period.

António Manuel de Sousa Pereira was born on October 17, 1961, in the parish of Ramalde, Porto. Graduate, master and doctor in Medicine by ICBAS, it was in this faculty of the University of Porto that developed his entire academic career, having provided the tests of aggregation in the area of ​​Anatomy in the year 2000. Four years later, and already as a Professor, he was to be elected for the first time as director of the faculty.

He is a member of the National Council of Ethics for Life Sciences elected by the Assembly of the Republic, Vice President of the Strategic Council of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, member of the Board of Directors of the Centro Académico Clínico ICBAS / Centro Hospitalar do Porto and of the Strategic Council of the Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia / Espinho.

Among the positions he held, both inside and outside the academy, he was also President of the National Board of Education and Medical Education of the Order of Physicians, consultant to the Government of the Dominican Republic for the evaluation of the Reform of Medical Schools (2016- 2017), and member of the Board of Directors of ORPHEUS – Organization of PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in European System (2013-2016).

As a researcher, he collaborated within the scope of his doctoral thesis with the organization and computerization of a Population-Based Oncology Registry, which constituted the first population-based cancer registry made in Portugal. In recent years, he has developed his research activity in the area of ​​university management and health policies. Among other international projects, he coordinated and participated in the study “Guidelines for Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Health Care Units Used for Teaching in Undergraduate Medicine” in partnership with Imperial College.

Outside of the University, António de Sousa Pereira, 56, is still a man very connected to Porto where he was born and studied almost always: in youth he studied at Liceu Alexandre Herculano and later ICBAS at U. Porto for his undergraduate, master’s and PhD. He is a supporter of FC Porto, although he admits that he does not often go to Estádio do Dragão; among his favourite dishes are the ” Tripas à moda do Porto”, especially if they are made by his mother.

Married and father of two children, he lives near the Douro River and occupies his free time with an old passion: a collection of old cameras. He was a chess player and is still a federated pistol shot athlete.

Erasmus – University of Porto opens to the world
6 October, 2018 / ,

The University of Porto has been hosting more and more foreign students. Thousands of students come to Porto each year, attracted by a reference educational institution and a welcoming and enchanting city. Some end up staying forever.

Twenty years ago, in the 1988/1989 school year, the first student under the Erasmus + program arrived at the University of Porto. It had only been a year since the program had started all over Europe and since then many young people have chosen Porto to have a more complete academic journey and an unforgettable life experience.

On average, the University of Porto welcomes more than 4,000 international students per year. This academic year is expected to reach the highest number ever, with the arrival of more than 4,500 students from more than 100 countries.

Spain, Italy and Poland are the countries where most students come from to spend a few months in Porto. On the other hand, foreign students who are at the University of Porto to complete a cycle of studies are mostly from Brazil.

According to the European Commission, Portugal is the 7th country with the highest number of students in the 33 countries participating in the Program, behind Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Poland.

 

Why Porto?

The quality of teaching at the University of Porto, the beauty of the city, the low cost of living, the cultural offer and the mild climate are some of the reasons that attract students from all over the world to the city of Porto.

The fact that the University has a close link with the companies in the region, the prestige the institution has and the way it supports research and innovation contributes to the University of Porto being in the top 100 in Europe in terms of employability rates.

The hospitality of the people of Porto and the multiculturalism of the school and the city are equally important to attract students from all over the world.

Parque Oriental
21 September, 2018 / , ,

It is one of the less known green spaces which makes it more peaceful and ideal for strolling, relaxing or playing sports.

Designed by the same author of Parque da Cidade – the landscape architect Sidónio Pardal – Parque Oriental benefits from the proximity of Rio Tinto and many of the routes are old rural roads that crossed the fields. This quiet and bucolic setting, dominated by pines and cork trees, is perfect for relaxing or escaping the heat on the warmest days of summer.

The wild flowers and some examples of camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas lend more color to this space, making it even more enjoyable for those who like to be in contact with nature.

With nine hectares in length, this park is also ideal for walking, running or cycling, often receiving initiatives designed to promote physical activity.

 

Alameda de Azevedo, Porto

Animaux de Porto
12 September, 2018 / , ,

Laura (26) and Romain (29) came to Porto almost by chance. To their passion for the city they added their love for animals and created Animaux de Porto, a company that provides pet-sitting services.

The French couple, from Brest, Brittany, passed through Porto whilst on vacation in 2016, but it took some time before they decided to leave their jobs and live in France a year ago. Accompanied by their cats, Pipoune and Snookie, they got in the car and began a new life in Porto 17 hours later.

When one of the cats fell ill and realized that the treatment involved taking three pills a day, they questioned what anyone who had animals with similar problems would do. And so the idea came up to create a service for those who have animals and do not want to take them out of their environment whilst on vacation or working.

Pet-sitting is more than a job; it’s a passion that began even in France, when they took care of their relatives’ pets. “We bring a special presence to the animal, which has a moment reserved just for him,” they say, explaining the advantages of this service for both the animal and its owner who receive messages and photographs to keep them informed their animal’s state of mind. And language is no obstacle since, in addition to French, Laura and Romain also speak English and a little Portuguese.

Information:

www.animauxdeporto.com

animauxdeporto@gmail.com

Instagram: @animauxdeporto

Facebook: Animaux de Porto

Tel: + 351 926 857 199

Tél: +33 631 890 173

Rua Costa Cabral
11 September, 2018 / ,

The most extensive street in Porto begins in Marquês and goes on to the Circunvalação road practically in a straight line, one of the limits of the city. A long drive with lots to discover.

Built in a predominantly rural area of ​​the city, this street still plays an important role in the flow to the eastern part of the city, but also in access to neighbouring counties. Already in the nineteenth century, people and goods passed here on their way to Guimarães, Braga or Penafiel.

The Rua de Costa Cabral stood out from the old streets not only by its more regular geometry, but also by the paving. It was baptized with the name of Costa Cabral, minister who was not popular in Porto. Therefore, the inhabitants of the city did not adopt its title, preferring to call it Estrada da Cruz das Regateiras. The cross to which the name refers to is currently at the back of the church of Paranhos. Previously it was in a square where there was a post of collection of taxes on the goods that entered the city; the women who brought their products to sell in Porto were known for their haggling because they fought the tax authorities the price of the tax to be paid. In fact, when Costa Cabral ceased to be minister, the inhabitants of Porto destroyed the sign that indicated the name of the street.

The name was eventually accepted and the remnants of rural life disappeared. Today the Rua de Costa Cabral is mainly a commercial area with more traditional shops such as grocery stores or formal clothes rental shops, to restaurants and other businesses linked to tourism.

Points of interest

In the four kilometres that separate Marquês and Areosa, several buildings of different eras and styles deserve a closer look:

  • 114 – Centro de Caridade de Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro. Building by the architect Luís Cunha, example of renovation in religious art in the 50’s.
  • 196 – The former Palacete do Lima is a 19th century building that houses the headquarters of Académico Futebol Clube, a historic club in the city that still remains in operation. There is a bar open to the public.
  • 220 – Old Tobacco Factory A Lealdade. This building stands out for its lively yellow tones but also for its huge iron sunroom.
  • Number 323 – Modernist building from the 1940s where Cinema Júlio Dinis worked. It’s now a nightclub.
  • 716 – Casa-Museu Fernando de Castro – former residence of a poet and collector; has an important collection of Portuguese paintings and several examples of gilded carving.
  • Along the Rua de Costa Cabral there are several residential buildings dating from the 19th century, many of them with tiled facades with details that deserve attention on the balconies, doors and windows.
  • 740/760 – Costa Cabral Block – Residential building from the 50’s, designed by the architect Viana de Lima. Classified as Property of Public Interest.
  • 1121 – Hospital Conde Ferreira – was the first psychiatric hospital in Portugal. Inaugurated in 1883.

Porto de Leixões
5 September, 2018 / , ,

An essential port for the country and a striking and award-winning building. The Porto de Leixões and the Cruise Terminal are essential to get to know Porto and the North.

As this an Atlantic region and with a strategic location, the arrival of goods by sea was always essential for the development of this area of the country. But the sea is also connected to leisure and tourism and Leixões wants to increasingly be a gateway for those who arrive to Porto by sea.

The Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, inaugurated in 2015, marks a new era in the history of the Porto de Leixões: the number of boats and passengers has increased every year (only this year it is expects 113 stopovers and more than 120 thousand) and those who arrive have better reception conditions.

The building is a spiral structure 40 meters high, covered with about one million white tiles manufactured by Vista Alegre. Its unique silhouette stands out in the landscape by the sea and awakens the curiosity of those who walk along the outskirts of Porto or Matosinhos. Inside, natural light and curved lines make the space more welcoming. It was considered the 2017 Building of the year in the Public Architecture category for the ArchDail website.

The Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões was considered by Cruises News as one of the best terminals in the world. This building is also home to CIIMAR – Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha da Universidade do Porto (Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine Research of the University of Porto). It also houses the Parque de Ciência e Tecnologias do Mar da Universidade do Porto (Marine Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto) and several research units with a maritime vocation (from Biology to Robotics).

The Porto de Leixões Day

On September 15th, the Porto de Leixões opens its doors between 10.00 and 19.00, with initiatives for all ages. In addition to showing visitors the daily life of the port, there will be boat visits and a regatta.

Avenida da Liberdade, Matosinhos

GPS: 41.190507246926, -8.6861515045166

Public transport: Bus: STCP – 505, STCP – 507

Subway: Line A

www.apdl.pt

 

Guided tours:

Sundays: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Normal ticket: € 5; free for children up to 12 years old; discounts for families,> 65 years, students.