Porto - Cathedral

Porto is with a population of about 250.000 the largest city in Northern Portugal. In "Greater Porto", the metropolitan area, live even more than 1.7 million people.

The historical center of Porto was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Port wine is named after Porto, since the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia on the southern banks of the river Douro are the centers for packaging, transport and export of the fortified wine. Some years ago I had been here for a couple of days before I started the "Camino Portugues" here.

The construction of the dominating Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) began around 1100 and was completed more than 2 centuries later. Though it underwent different alterations over the centuries (gothic, baroque), the romanesque structure of the once fortified church is still clearly visible.

The gothic cloister was added end of the 14th century. From there stairs lead up to the cathedral´s museum, where many sculptures are displayed.

"Saint Jacques", wearing the "coquille" on his hat, will protect all pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, just about 250 kms north from Porto.