Our short vacation in Porto in February ends on the 7th day with heavy rain and stormy wind gusts. We therefore try to spend the day in sheltered areas. Two days ago, we had booked a guided tour of the Palácio da Bolsa in Infante D. Henrique Square.
Before we make this appointment, we want to have a coffee at the Cais da Estiva. Normally, this quay is a beautiful promenade along the banks of the Duro.
Today, however, we quickly tried to find shelter under a reasonably covered restaurant terrace. Torrents of water regularly come down from the tarps that serve as a roof, and the staff repeatedly re-erect and realign the screens as they are repeatedly knocked over by gusts of wind. People with broken umbrellas walk past, carrying only the metal skeleton of their umbrellas in their hands. An altogether impressive spectacle.
Nevertheless, we quickly go back to the Palácio da Bolsa and wait in the dry for the guided tour to begin.
The Stock Exchange Palace was used as a stock exchange and commercial court. Today it serves as a conference center and office for high-ranking city officials.
The Hall of Nations, equipped with a giant glass sphere, represents the city’s trading partners with its coats of arms. Court hearings were held and verdicts were announced in the courtroom.
A highlight of the tour is the Arab Hall, which is based on the style of the Alhambra in Granada. The guide has excellent knowledge and leads us through the building with confidence.
As we are a little tired from the many impressions of the past 6 days, we continue the day in a restaurant and later in a Cafe before we drive to the airport and fly back to Luxembourg.
Porto and northern Portugal are undoubtedly some of the most fascinating locations we have visited.