Porto—October 11, 2018

Trinidade Church (1755) from Avenida 

dos Alieados, opposite Town Hall. The

church looks better from afar.

Another easy day—just walked 5 miles today. Slept until 8:00AM and while having our usual at Cristal Cafe, our new neighbors (Eden and Goodness) came in and sat at the table next to us and we chatted about what each might do today. Eden and Goodness are only in Porto for four days so they're trying to see as much as they can without overdoing it. Like us, they enjoy wandering, what we call "getting lost" and seeing what happens.

Eden & Goodness

What we ended up doing was stopping in at Trinidade Church (glad we did) on our way to Sao Bento (downtown train station) to purchase tickets for Figueira da Foz, our next destination. We walked a block up to Clerigos Church afterward to catch the noon organ concert Paula told us about and we're glad we did that, too. One of the organist came out on a balcony and explained in Portuguese and English the four pieces he and his French colleague were going to play. He talked a little about how the organs were installed in 1774 and 1777, the latter one including more pipes with a deeper register.

The interior of Trinidade Church

belies its grimy exterior.

 

Liberty Plaza looking up to Town Hall in the center. The two
towers on the left and right are simply businesses. Avenida
dos Aliedos is an impressive square.

Clerigos Church (1732-1750) is typically
baroque and with its 226' bell tower (1763)
both have become symbols for Porto. Clerigos
is magnificent inside. We didn't pay to climb
up the 240 steps of the tower.

Clerigos main alter. The church is oval shaped.

Clerigos ceiling.

Paula, our host, told us a 30 minute organ concert was played twice a day and that we should hear it. And so we did. This is the organist tuning up for the concert.

Clerigos Church door.

Bite-size eclairs from Ribeira
Bakery. (1878). This is their claim
to fame. The bakery is across the
street from Clerigos Church so we
had to stop by for a treat.

Adega Figueiroa is a restaurant
just down the street from us and
for 5 Euros you get a complete
lunch or dinner. That means soup,
a main dish, something to drink,
and an espresso. Stunning!

Marie had a traditional Porto beef stew.

I had traditional Porto white bean and tripe stew. Really savory!

And finish with an espresso, of course.

Full meal for 5 Euros! Inconceivable!

More street art on our walk up Boavista Avenue to
Casa da Musica.

Click here for information about Casa da Music. Its design,
both inside and out, is impressive.

Sitting in the lobby looking out toward the entrance plaza
that is curved like a wave. Skate boarders love this place.

And there's one now.

The 148' Monument to the Fallen

Heroes of the Peninsular War 

(1807-1814) has a lion pinning

down an eagle. The lion represents

the Portuguese victory over the

vanquished French imperial eagle. 

This column, at the center of the 

Boavista Rotunda in front of Casa

da Musica can be seen from the end 

of seven converging avenues. The 

roundabout is a popular hangout for 

university students late in the day 

and evening.