Flower’s Street
Portuguese history, culture and tradition.
The vegetable gardens of Bishop D. Pedro Álvares da Costa were the land on which Rua das Flores was built.
An Ecclesial Street
Enriched by flowers, the vegetable gardens of Bishop D. Pedro Álvares da Costa were the land on which Rua das Flores was built between 1521 and 1525, by initiative of King D. Manuel I, in order to improve accessibility to the Monastery of S. Bento de Ave-Maria (current S. Bento station), also built by his will between 1518 and 1535.
The high devotion from the bishop of Porto to Saint Catherine of Mount Sinai is reflected in the initial name given to this street – Rua de Santa Catarina das Flores. Some of the houses still display on their facades the marks of possession of their owners, like the bishop’s houses – all of them bear the wheel of razors with which Saint Catherine was martyred. In the buildings of the chapter, the figure of St. Michael the Archangel should be present.
Local of Bourgeois
The emergence of this street is accompanied by the growing affirmation of the mercantile bourgeois class, fostering a taste for luxury architecture and grand palaces. In this sense, the built space came to confirm the rise of a strong elitist character, mostly individuals related to the municipal and crown administration, or merchants.
Some of the buildings mark very well this status, such as the House of the Maias, the House of the Cunha Pimentel, the House of the Constantinos and the House of the Company.
Important Center
The street was easily occupied by various arts and crafts, especially in the upper area, due to the proximity of the Monastery of S. Bento. It also came to be known as the street of gold, due to the presence of many goldsmiths, much sought after by the ladies of the Douro and Minho, who came here to buy gold adornments to display in their festivals and pilgrimages.
Rua das Flores ended up becoming an important mercantile center of the city, and the English writer Carlota Lady Jackson even said “… it’s the most frequented in Porto.” and “… it’s full of people, like any street in London.”
Experiences
Rua das Flores is one of the most famous in the city and for many years was one of the most prestigious, where the most influential families in the city lived. In “Tour 2 – From Infante to São Bento” the elite buildings that still stand on the street are described and located and you can get to know a little more about their story. Discover the city of Porto and learn about its history and culture with the Walkinporto app.
This area is also home to some of the most sought-after accommodation in the city. My accommodation suggestions are very centrally located so that you can feel and live the soul of the city up close and get to know its historic neighborhoods. Get to know my accommodation advice.
