Porto is situated on the right bank of the Douro River, just a few kilometers from its mouth into the Atlantic Ocean. In terms of area, covering approximately 42 square kilometers, Porto is second in size only to Lisbon.
Often referred to as the "northern capital" of Portugal, Porto is home to over 220,000 people, and it's believed that the name of the entire country is derived from this city.
While settlements in this area date back even earlier, Porto officially received its municipal status in 1123, marking an important milestone in its history.
The primary symbol of the city is the Douro River, whose name translates to "gold" in the original language. The origin of the river's name has several interpretations. One suggests that the river nourished vineyards, contributing to the city's prosperity as a center of winemaking. Another belief is that the great Portuguese maritime explorations embarked from the Douro River's shores.
It was this river that played a crucial role in realizing high-tech projects by Gustave Eiffel and his apprentices during the twentieth century. These projects included the Ponte de Dona Maria Pia railroad bridge and the iconic two-tiered metal bridge known as the Ponte de Don Luís, or Luís I Bridge.
