I took the bus 7:14am from my bus stop to Airport. Not so early as usual. However, the bus was quite empty. only 6-7 passengers in total. I think people are panicking about Covid-19 aka Coronavirus or Wuhan Virus.
I was thoroughly cleaned the seat and handles in the bus before taking my seat. That surgical alcohol from Boots really making a good use. I soaked regular wipes with it, so it would have desinfecting properties. Well at least I hope it does.
Portugal seems to be the safest country in terms of Covid – 19. Porto has few cases of it already, so it is a bit worrying, but I am sure I have higher chance of getting it while commuting in London. London tubes can be really filthy. Not to mention that rails are all the time sticky from sweat, hand creams and now hand sanitisers.
Gatwick was busy as usual. Don’t really feel Lowe numbers of passengers. Queues to security as well. My back really stinks alcohol… I think that spirit from wipes is leaking haha. I put it in a plastic bag in a hope that security won’t get bothered with it. Security was smooth and fast. I must say Gatwick really improved their security checks lately. Last time I’ve travelled to Bordeux it was super quick. Even today it took barely couple of minutes.
My colleagues told me not to touch the trays while passing security as research shows they contain loads of germs. So straight after I passed to security I rushed to the bathroom to wash my hands. Well actually before and after weeing haha. Somehow all that madness really gets into you.
I still have couple of hours until the flight to Porto. So I grabbed nice salmon toast eggs, coffee americano and a glass of red. Funny enough, they ran out of regular coffee… Not only you can’t buy it in the grocery shops, but cafes are probably saving it too.
Finally, boarding! All seems on time. However, I don’t see any precautions from airport employees including gate staff, touching every passport or mobile phone. Staff in Boots moved the machine to scan boarding pass so that they don’t need to touch it. Mobiles have all the germs! No face masks, no hand sanitiser dispensers, no body temperature scans – nada! No wonder numbers of infected piling so fast compared to Honk Kong for example. Passengers wearing masks wear them most of the time incorrectly with big gaps on the side or wearing below the nose…
My trip in Porto was pretty short as after staying overnight, when I came out to the city I have noticed that everything was closing down. Most restaurants closed, museums closed and when I tried to go to the beach I have found out that the Trams are suspended due to Covid-19, so it was just a matter of time until metro is stopped and flights suspended. So I booked the flight on the same do to London, which cost me £80, but better than to be stuck in foreign country for several months.
Anyway, I have managed to take a stroll in the city and take some nice pictures. It is really pretty town and hopefully some day soon I will come back to visit it again!
The Ponte Luís is a bridge that connects the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, located in the north of Portugal. It was designed by the engineer Téophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, and was opened in 1886. It is one of the most recognisable landmarks of the city, and is a symbol of the city’s industrial history and growth.
The bridge was built as part of the development of the Douro River valley, which was a major industrial center during the 19th century. The bridge is made up of three arches, and is made of wrought iron and granite. It is 1,431 meters long, and is the longest bridge in the Iberian Peninsula.
In the early 20th century, the bridge was renovated to incorporate a metro line, and its current look is the result of this renovation. The bridge is now a tourist attraction, and its pedestrian walkways offer a spectacular view of the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It has become an iconic symbol of the city, and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
Pastel de Nata is a traditional Portuguese pastry that dates back to the 18th century. It is a custard tart filled with a creamy egg custard and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. It was originally created by monks at the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, Portugal, and is now found all over the country. The tart has become a popular tourist attraction in Portugal, and it is often served with coffee or tea. The creamy custard and flaky pastry crust make it a delicious treat, and its popularity continues to grow around the world.
The Church of Santo Ildefonso is a baroque-style church located in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória. It was built in the first half of the 18th century, and is an example of the baroque architecture of the period.
The church was built by the Jesuits, who had a presence in the city for several centuries. The first stone was laid in 1711, and the building was completed in 1734. It was consecrated to Saint Ildefonsus, a 7th-century Spanish saint and Doctor of the Church.
The church was constructed in the form of a Latin cross, with a single nave and three aisles. It has a single tower and an interior adorned with frescoes and gilded woodwork. The facade is neoclassical, and the interior is decorated with the works of several notable Portuguese artists, including Francisco Vieira, André Soares, and André Reinoso.
The Church of Santo Ildefonso is one of the most important examples of 18th-century baroque architecture in Porto. It is a National Monument, and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Terço e Caridade (Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Charity) is a Roman Catholic church built in the 16th century and is one of the oldest churches in the city. It was originally built to house the image of Our Lady of the Rosary, which was brought to Porto from Spain in the 16th century. The church underwent extensive renovations in the 18th century, when the Baroque façade and the Neoclassical interior were added. The church is also known for its ornate gilded altarpieces and its beautiful stained-glass windows. In addition to its religious significance, the church has also been recognized as an important cultural landmark in the city.
The Igreja de São Lourenço (Church of St. Lawrence) is a baroque-style Roman Catholic church built in the 18th century, during the reign of King John V, and is one of the most important religious monuments in the city.
The origins of the church date back to the early 17th century, when a small chapel dedicated to St. Lawrence was built on the site. The chapel was destroyed in a fire in 1702, and a larger church was built in its place. Construction of the new church began in 1717 and was completed in 1728. The church features a grand façade and an impressive interior, with an ornate altarpiece and several side chapels.
The Igreja de São Lourenço is one of the most iconic churches in the city of Porto and is a popular tourist attraction. It has been designated a National Monument since 1910.
The Igreja do Carmo is a Roman Catholic church built between 1771 and 1809 and is located near the historic centre of the city. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and is considered to be one of the most important religious buildings of the city. The church was designed in a neoclassical style and is made up of a central nave flanked by two lateral aisles, with a dome that dominates the interior. The façade of the church is made of white marble, giving it a distinct appearance from its surroundings. The interior of the church is decorated with numerous works of art, including paintings and sculptures. The church also houses several religious relics, including a reliquary of St. Vincent of Lérins, a relic of St. Bridget of Portugal, and a relic of St. Francis Xavier.
Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls) is a Roman Catholic chapel that was erected in 1710 and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Souls. It is a baroque structure and its interior is adorned with several azulejos (hand-painted tiles) depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The chapel is part of the Church of Saint Ildefonso, which was built in 1773. The chapel and the church were built to honour the victims of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The chapel is a popular tourist attraction in Porto and is visited by thousands of tourists each year.
Fonte dos Leões (Lions Fountain) is a monumental fountain built in the 19th century by the wealthy merchant and philanthropist António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, on the initiative of the then-Mayor of Porto, José da Silva Passos. The fountain was inaugurated in 1886, and is considered a symbol of Porto’s reconquest after the Portuguese Civil War.
The fountain is made of marble and granite, and features four lions at its base. These lions symbolize the strength and courage of the people of Porto, who fought for their freedom during the Civil War. The fountain is decorated with allegorical figures that represent the four rivers of Porto as well as other important figures from the city’s history.
Today (well not in Covid-19 times), the fountain is a popular tourist attraction in Porto, and a popular spot for visitors to take photographs and admire the city’s landscape.
Ribeira Square (Praça da Ribeira) is a public square and one of the oldest areas of the city and has been the site of many historic events.
The area was originally developed by the Romans who built a fish market and the foundation of the city walls. During the Middle Ages, the square was the center of the city’s maritime trade and the site of the city’s first shipyard. In the 16th century, the square was redesigned to accommodate the city’s growing population. During this period, the square was used as a market and open-air theater and hosted a number of festivals and celebrations.
In the 18th century, the square was renovated and a new fountain was added. The square was also used for military parades and executions. In the 19th century, the square was the site of a number of important historical events, including the signing of the Portuguese Constitution in 1820.
The Capela do Senhor da Boa Nova (Chapel of the Lord of Good News) is a 16th-century chapel, that was built in 1548 and dedicated to the Lord of Good News, a title associated with Jesus Christ. The chapel is renowned for its magnificent Manueline architecture, featuring ornate stonework, arches, and a vaulted ceiling. It is believed to have been designed by famed Portuguese architect João de Castilho.
The chapel was built as a shrine to the Lord of Good News, to whom a miracle was attributed. It was also used as a chapel of the nearby Hospideria de Santa Clara. Over the centuries, the chapel has been restored and renovated several times. The most recent renovations were completed in 2011, when the chapel was refurbished with a new roof and windows.
The bronze statues on the Via Catarina Shopping Mall in Porto were created in the early 2000s. They were designed by local artist João Cutileiro, who is well known for his public sculptures in Portugal. The statues depict characters from traditional Portuguese tales, as well as figures from the city’s history. The statues were commissioned by the shopping mall as part of their renovation project.
Sé do Porto, or Porto Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral and it is one of the city’s most important Romanesque monuments and a symbol of the city. The cathedral was built in the 12th century, and its construction is attributed to Bishop Hugo. It is renowned for its impressive Baroque façade and its Manueline-style southern portal, the Porta Especiosa. Inside the cathedral, visitors can admire its Gothic and Renaissance art, including its many sculptures, paintings, and stained glass windows. The cathedral has undergone various renovations and restorations throughout the centuries, and it continues to be a major tourist attraction for tourists visiting Porto.
The Pelourinho do Porto (Pelourinho do Porto) is a historical monument and a good example of the 18th century Portuguese Baroque architecture and is considered one of the most important monuments in the city. It was built in 1772 and was used for public punishment and humiliation of criminals. The monument was restored in the late 20th century and has since become a popular tourist attraction in the city. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monument consists of a large stone pillar, which is decorated with four bronze figures representing Justice, Faith, Hope, and Charity.
Clerigos Church and Tower were built in the 18th century by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, and is an excellent example of Baroque architecture. The construction of the church began in 1732 under the patronage of the Clerigos (Clergy) Brotherhood, and was completed in 1750.
The tower of the church, at a height of 75 meters, is the tallest in the city. It offers a panoramic view of the city and the Douro River.
The Monument Church of St Francis in Porto was founded in 1320 by King Denis I of Portugal as a Franciscan monastery. The church was destroyed by a fire in 1769 and rebuilt in a Baroque style in 1778. During the 19th century, the church underwent several rebuilding projects to accommodate the changing needs of the local population. In 1905, the church was declared a National Monument and in 2010 it was included in the World Heritage Site of Porto and the Douro Valley. The church is widely known for its ornate interior, which includes an elaborate 17th-century gilded wooden ceiling and an impressive marble altar.