PORTO photoblog

Although Porto has always been Portugal's second most important cultural centre, it as really taken off as a lively arts spot since it's European Capital of Culture status in 2001. Several good museums offer art, artifacts and more unsual offerings, such as old trams. Porto is also represented: you can visit the various shippers lodges, and the Museu do Vinho do Porto . Museu do Vinho do Porto Porto's architecture is another cultural attraction and one of the reasons why part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is centred on the Ribeira district (the site also covers the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar across the Douro river, and the area around Sé Cathedral), where architecture dates from the Middle Ages to 19th century neoclassical. Many fine churches in the centre of Porto city display various architectural styles including medieval. Renaissance and Baroque, and the are important neoclassical buildings such as Sao Bento railway station

Leaving the Aliados Avenue, requalified by Souto Moura and Siza Vieira, both Pritzker architecture awards, we walk in downtown Porto, going down Mouzinho da Silveira street and, in minutes we can see the river Douro , between the old buildings. Ribeira This is Ribeira , recovered in the last years. On the weekends, the river banks become crowded with its esplanades full of people, people selling handicrafts, street musicians; we can appreciate the metallic geometry of the D Luis I bridge on the opposite bank and the Rabelo boats which used to carry the Port wine barrels to the wine cellars in Gaia. Rabelos boats Close to the Bom Sucesso market and hotel you have Casa da Musica is an example of Porto's cultural modernity, which it stands out for it's bold design and high-quality programming, from wold music to classical music. Casa da Música Joao Pires

The Casa da Música is one of the 15 concert halls more "spectacular" in the world. According to study with data about buildings and high public and economic value that includes the living Porto shows a short list. Casa da Música - Porto The modern concert halls no longer rely only on excellent performances: currently, also have notable architectural features, offering the audience a great show even before it arrives to their seats. Mindful of this reality and the fact that, increasingly, the concert halls are built to excel through their shapes, colors and attractive materials. by Joao Pires

Casa da Música Instituição dedicada à divulgação da  música  no Porto. Veja também tela BARCOS RABELOS por João Pires ( http://favoritus.blogspot.pt/2013/07/tela-barcos-rabelos-por-joao-pires.html ) Torre dos Clérigos ( http://photoblog-favoritus.blogspot.pt/2011/09/torre-dos-clerigos-considerado-por.html ) Igreja dos Clérigos ( http://photoblog-favoritus.blogspot.pt/2013/07/igreja-dos-clerigos.html )