PRAҪA DA LIBERDADE, PORTO, PORTUGAL

Portugal

(República Portuguesa) 

"Portugal was born in the shadow of the Catholic Church and religion. From the beginning, it was the formative element of the soul of the nation and the dominant trait of character of the Portuguese people."

- Antonio de Oliveira Salazar

Food to eat when in Portugal

Eating in Portugal is an experience by itself. Many foods are simply made but delicious. You can't go wrong with seafood here and when it comes to meat, pork is a big part of the Portuguese diet. Don't forget the desserts, the famous pastel de nata and many others. 

Porto, one of the oldest European trading centers, is located along the Douro River estuary, in the northern part of Portugal. The city is a World Heritage Site, proclaimed by UNESCO in 1996.

Cities & Towns

Portugal (derived from the Roman name Portus Cale which means "Beautiful Port"), is slightly smaller than the state of Indiana, but is dotted with countless historic sites. The country has been continuously settled, invaded and fought over since prehistoric times.

​

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal acquired its wealth through maritime exploration, the Age of Discovery (or the Age of Exploration) and the beginning of globalization. Here, many great Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages of discovery.

Other Attractions in Portugal

Cabo Da Roca, Sintra

São Bento Railway Station

Port Tasting

Cathedrals, Abbeys & Churches

The constant flow of different civilizations over the past three thousand years left a lasting imprint on Portugal. Almost 90 percent of Portugal's citizens are Roman Catholic, followed by atheists, independent Christians and other various religions. Many  incredible churches and abbeys can be visited here, evidence of the acquired wealth during Portugal's world economic power.

Castles

Most of the castles in Portugal are located at strategic points, with some sites first used in the 2nd century BCE. Fortified citadels were built, re-used and re-built during these conquests. Their roles were not only to defend the borders but also the trading towns. Islamic rule held strong for nearly five centuries in Portugal, until Dom Afonso Henriquez conquered the moors and became the first king of the country.