In the center of Porto, but further away from the riverside strip that runs from the D. Luis I Bridge to the São Francisco Church area, we now go up to Jardim da Cordoaria, which is a large square full of significance for this city. On the west side we have the Court of Appeal of Porto, on the opposite side, to the east, we have one of the buildings of University of Porto, but it is in the southernmost part that you will find one of the most photographed and popular monuments in Porto – the Clérigos Tower.
The Clérigos Church and, above all, the tower behind it forms one of Porto's best-known postcards. This tower, located between Rua da Assunção and Rua São Filipe de Nery, is 75 meters high and was the tallest building in Portugal for a long time. It was erected between 1754 and 1763 by Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect who settled in Porto and was also responsible for other buildings in the city. Built in granite, its baroque style immediately attracts attention with its splendor. Its 225 steps provide the visitor, when they reach the top, with an intoxicating view of the entire city of Porto. There are also visits at night until 11pm, so if you enjoy seeing the city in another way, go at that time. Tickets cost €5 (with a 50% discount if you have a Porto Card).
This same ticket can be used in the museum that connects the tower to the church – the Brotherhood House – where the Clérigos Brotherhood made its living and where we have a collection of collections of painting, sculpture, furniture and goldsmithing. Finally we have the Clérigos Church It is also made of granite and follows the same baroque patterns as the tower. Completed in 1749, it was the first ellipse-shaped church in Portugal. Its gilded Johannine-style interior and the main chapel with its Rococo altarpiece and marble altar are also well worth a visit. The Clérigos architectural complex has been a national monument since 1910.
The best-known bookstore in the country
Still in this area, just cross the street and you will arrive at Rua das Carmelitas, a street full of interesting shops, including the Happy view, Portuguese Life and the best known of all bookstores in Portugal – the Lello Bookstore. This bookstore is considered by several international publications as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It was opened in 1906 by brothers José and António Lello and has remained there to this day at number 144 Rua das Carmelitas. It has a neo-Gothic facade, but it is above all its interior that attracts thousands of tourists due to its elaborate staircase, ornate ceilings imitating carved wood and the stained glass window also on the ceiling. Entrance costs €5, which you can discount when purchasing a book, but choose your time wisely as there are usually queues to enter.
The party avenue
We walked down the busy Rua dos Clérigos, full of shops and old buildings, to reach the most “congregating” avenue for Porto residents – Avenida dos Aliados. When there is a good reason to celebrate, this is where people gather, whether for football, popular saints or just for a walk.
Avenida dos Aliados is sparsely tree-lined, but is wide and long from the southernmost part where the Hotel Intercontinental do Porto is located on the Cardosas Palace to the northern part where Porto's city council building is located. Its name evokes the Allies of the First World War and it was inaugurated in 1916. Along the entire avenue there are some statues that are worth highlighting: at the bottom the equestrian statue of D. Pedro IV, then further up the statue Menina Nua -Fountain of Youth and at the top there is a statue of the writer Almeida Garrett. I also highlight at the beginning of the avenue (facing Porto City Hall) on the right side, the old Café Imperial, which possibly became one of the city's most famous restaurants. fast food most beautiful in the world.