Ribeira Square
The Ribeira Square (
History
The square is located in the historical district of Ribeira (riverside in Portuguese), part of the
In the mid-18th century the city needed new urban improvements to provide for the swift flow of goods and people between the Ribeira neighbourhood and other areas of Porto. In this context, governor João de Almada e Melo opened a new street, the São João Street, that connected the Ribeira Square and the upper town, and promoted the reurbanisation of the square itself.[1] [2] The project, executed between 1776 and 1782, is credited to John Whitehead, English consul in Porto. The square was to become enclosed on its north, west and east sides by buildings with arcades, while the south side of the square, facing the Douro, was enclosed by the medieval walls (Muralhas Fernandinas) of Porto. These walls were torned down in 1821, opening the square to the river.[2]
The Ribeira Square and its surrounding has been classified as Property of Public Interest since 1971.[1][2]
Points of interest
The northern part of the square has a monumental fountain, three storeys high, built in the 1780s and decorated with the
Nowadays the Ribeira Square is a favourite spot for tourists.
See also
- Douro
- Liberdade Square
- Tourist attractions in Porto
References
- ^ a b c "An urban complex formed by Praça da Ribeira and its natural extensions, namely Rua de São João and its cross section, Rua do Infante D. Henrique". Patrimonio Cultural. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
- ^ a b c d e f Isabel Sereno, Paulo Dordio. "Praça da Ribeira and surrounding area". www.monumentos.gov.pt. Retrieved 2019-01-07.