The main shrine of the northern capital of Portugal, the Cathedral of Porto, was founded in 1110 by the first bishop of Porto, Cardinal Hugo. The construction of the load-bearing structure of the early medieval Catholic temple had lasted about two centuries until it was finally completed in the middle of the 18th century. Since then, the Cathedral of Porto has remained almost unchanged.

One of the oldest Romanesque monuments stands in the city’s historic center near the picturesque bank of the main waterway of Porto, the Douro River, right in place of the famous multi-tiered Dom Luís I Bridge. While enjoying the view of the cathedral, do not forget to go down to the embankment and climb to the upper tier of the bridge to admire the view of the majestic cathedral one more time, from the water surface, from afar.

Even though the cathedral has undergone many changes throughout its history, it is still considered a striking example of the Romanesque architectural style. Its main facade has the form of a high arch with a huge rose window and a Baroque portico topped with stone battlements, which are a kind of the Early Gothic vestige. The building is sided by two tall square bell towers with Baroque domes, added in 1772. Besides, in 1732, the famous Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni contributed to the cathedral’s construction by adding a spacious loggia to the side facade.

The cathedral’s interior is in the Baroque style, decorated by the Portuguese artists of the 17th century. The hallmark of the entire interior is the original silver altar in one of the chapels. Another noteworthy chapel is the one built in the Gothic style in 1333. It is the funerary chapel of Joao Gordo, a member of the Knights Hospitaller and the devoted Chamberlain of King Denis of Portugal. Today, his tomb is decorated with a reclining statue of a knight and stone reliefs depicting the apostles of Jesus Christ.