Page 229 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

Porto, across the Ponte de Dom Luís I, at dusk

PORTO

Ever since the Romans built a fort here at their
settlement of Portus, Porto has prospered from
commerce. The city was quick to expel the Moors
in the 11th century and to profit from provisioning
Crusaders en route to the Holy Land. Porto also
took advantage of the wealth generated by
Portugal’s extensive maritime discoveries in
the 15th and 16th centuries.
When Portugal lost the lucrative spice trade, as
her former colonies were taken up by the Dutch or
granted independence, Porto still thrived due to
the precious drink to which the city gave its name:
port. From its hillside, Porto looks across the
Douro to the lodges that nurture this fortified
wine, many of which bear the names of British
companies such as Taylor’s, Croft and Graham’s.
The trade with these foreign companies secured
the city’s fortunes.
Still a thriving industrial centre and Portugal’s
second-largest city, Porto, sometimes referred
to as Oporto, blends industry with charm – as
was evident in 2001 when the city was named
the European Capital of Culture.
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