Porto History
Porto has a very intense history, dating back centuries with many occupations by different rulers before the creation of Portugal in the 12th century. Its location brought riches and historical importance to the city. Being the connection between the Duoro River and the Atlantic Ocean, Porto has the highest importance in relations Between Portugal and Great Britain on the one hand and bringing trade from and to Europe on the other.
In the 14th century Porto was the location of the marriage ceremony between João I and Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt. This started the long military alliance between Portugal and England, which is the world’s oldest alliance existing till today via NATO. When the King of England came to Porto for the wedding, he stayed at the Saint Francis church to show his respect to the Franciscans.
During the 14th and 15th centuries adventurists from Porto set sail to Morocco in order to conquer Islamic areas. Once they achieved that, they kept south and conquered other lands in Africa. These sailors held the highest respect in Porto. It is said the best meat was put on the ships for the sailors and the less good meat would be left in the city for the citizens. One of the types of meat that was well known to be left in Porto is ‘tripe’. Therefore, sometimes the people from Porto are referred to as “tripeiros”.
Porto Is the location where the fabulous Port wine is made. In the beginning of the 18th century the ‘Methuen Treaty’ was signed between England and Portugal starting a special trade where English wool would be shipped to Porto and from there to Europe and Port wine would be shipped to England free from taxes. This treaty was very important to England, since at the time England was at war with France and had a problem to import high quality wine into England and export wool to Europe. Port wine became at that point very popular in England, having a very strong positive influence on Porto’s economy. The positive influence can be seen by the structures built at that time such as ‘Torre dos Clérigos’, a 75.6-meter-high tower dominating over the city, this magnificent structure became the symbol of the city.
Tragedy struck Porto in the year 1809 when Napoleon’s troops conquered the city in ‘The First Battle of Porto’. Scared civilians fled The French troops crossing the bridge over the River. Unfortunately, the bridge collapsed under their weight and approximately 6000 people drowned in the waters. Portugal couldn’t allow such a tragedy to occur with no response so in ‘The Second Battle of Porto’ the Anglo-Portuguese forces attacked Napoleon’s troops and won the day.
The Portuguese ‘Liberal Revolution’ in 1820 started in Porto. Their demand was for John V of Portugal to return from Brazil after he escaped due to the French occupation. They demanded him to set up a constitutional monarchy in the country, this was accepted in 1822. However, Miguel of Portugal took the throne in 1828 and rejected the constitution in order for him to become an absolutist monarch. This started a civil war. Porto rebelled and had to suffer a siege for nearly two years by the King’s army, However, the city never gave up. After the king was forced to resign, the liberal constitution was reinstated.
This magnificent city endured Conquests by the Romans, Moors, Christians, French… and suffered from civil war, but never gave up. Therefore, another name for the city is “Cidade Invicta” which means ‘Unvanquished City’. In the end, different people can lead here, but the people will always stay as they always were.