Oporto, Portugal
In the very early days the Phoenicians and the Greek traders who reached this land established small settlements among the Lusitani, the local natives, in what would become Spain and Portugal. In a series of battles and conquests over the centuries, the Carthaginians were overlords, followed in 130 BC by the Romans, in 419 BC by the Germanic Suevi, then the Visigoths, and finally the Moors attacked and took almost all the Iberian Peninsula in 711. In 883 part of this area was recognized as "Portucale", still under Spanish control, but with some degree of independence. At last, in 1179, Affonso Henriques was recognized as king of "Portugal".
Once a river community, Porto (Oporto) became a great commercial city, and the commercial center for northern Portugal. It has had very close connections with the English, especially throughout the wine trade. This trade began around 1678 when, it is said, two Englishmen discovered that by adding some brandy (thus fortifying it), the local wine could stand the trip to England better, as well as temperature changes. Thus began, also, the investment of English capital in that business, which today is very strong.
We visited the city and its center, then the Cathedral of Sao Francisco, as well as other attractions in the area. Then we all enjoyed a tour of one of the major port wine makers, Sandeman, where we had a wine tasting session. Immediately afterwards we walked to Taylor's, another port producer, where we had a very special local lunch. Some of us were interested in the local handicrafts, especially tiles, and had some time for it. Then we returned to our ship, leaving the port shortly thereafter, sailing for Lisbon during the afternoon and night.
In the very early days the Phoenicians and the Greek traders who reached this land established small settlements among the Lusitani, the local natives, in what would become Spain and Portugal. In a series of battles and conquests over the centuries, the Carthaginians were overlords, followed in 130 BC by the Romans, in 419 BC by the Germanic Suevi, then the Visigoths, and finally the Moors attacked and took almost all the Iberian Peninsula in 711. In 883 part of this area was recognized as "Portucale", still under Spanish control, but with some degree of independence. At last, in 1179, Affonso Henriques was recognized as king of "Portugal".
Once a river community, Porto (Oporto) became a great commercial city, and the commercial center for northern Portugal. It has had very close connections with the English, especially throughout the wine trade. This trade began around 1678 when, it is said, two Englishmen discovered that by adding some brandy (thus fortifying it), the local wine could stand the trip to England better, as well as temperature changes. Thus began, also, the investment of English capital in that business, which today is very strong.
We visited the city and its center, then the Cathedral of Sao Francisco, as well as other attractions in the area. Then we all enjoyed a tour of one of the major port wine makers, Sandeman, where we had a wine tasting session. Immediately afterwards we walked to Taylor's, another port producer, where we had a very special local lunch. Some of us were interested in the local handicrafts, especially tiles, and had some time for it. Then we returned to our ship, leaving the port shortly thereafter, sailing for Lisbon during the afternoon and night.
