Ribeira Square
Portuguese history, culture and tradition.
Located at the historic Ribeira Pier, its door gave access to the Douro River. For a long time, it was the place of hard work for men, women, children and animals. Ribeira is a place of stories that tell a lot about the city and the riverside people of Porto.
This square is in the historic Ribeira Pier, where Ribeira door was also located, one of the most important gates of the Fernandina wall, as it gave access to the Douro River. Being one of the oldest squares in the city, for a long period of time it was the center of the trading activity, having even functioned as a market. In the eighteenth century, it was reformulated by the hand of João de Almada e Melo, rebuilding the west side with neoclassical facades, opposite to those on the east side of traditional and popular nature.
St. John's Fountain
On the north side is the monumental St. John’s Fountain, built in 1783 on the slope of the square, standing out for its high height. It was designed by the architect John Whitehead, a baroque work that is divided into three floors. In the first, the fountain with a semicircular tank is presented, and the next two are decorated with various Baroque elements, with emphasis on the niche that housed an image and the coat of arms of Portugal. The upper top is finished in an entablature and a railed balcony.
The Riverside Cube
In the center of the square is the Ribeira’s Cube, a work by José Rodrigues executed in 1984. Built during the modernization of Ribeira, this fountain succeeds one from the seventeenth century, and not being a reconstitution of it, the author says that it is an addition. The Cube that balances on an edge over the fountain is a metaphor for the flow of the river, an unstable but decisive force in the construction of the city. The presence of doves, on the other hand, eternalizes the balance between the natural and the artificial by easily coexisting with human beings in urban spaces, maintaining their freedom.
Secrets of Ribeira
Ribeira hides stories and secrets that are present in some of the elements that are found along the riverbank. Did you know that here in Ribeira you can find the only surviving wicket of the Fernandina wall? And that the first bridge over the Douro River was a bridge built with 20 boats? Ribeira was also the stage for film scenes and national resistance fights. The Tour 1 – Medieval Porto lets you discover all the mysteries present here. This tour includes an interview with the artist Júlio Resende about his work “Dark Ribeira” and the short film “Douro, Faina Fluvial” by the emblematic filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira, portraits of the daily tradition of daily work that existed here. Discover the city of Porto and learn about its history and culture with the Walkinporto app.
Experiences
The square is one of the most touristic places in the city, where you can find many terraces and restaurants with a magnificent view over the river. It is also next to the square, at Cais da Estiva, that you can board one of the cruises* that go up and down the Douro River.
*Only the experience “Porto: Cruise of the 6 Bridges on the Douro River” starts at Cais da Estiva, in Ribeira do Porto. The rest are located at points further away from the center, and it is advisable to use your own car, taxi or uber. On the booking page you will find the information about the pick-up location in the “meeting point” option.
**For the experience “Porto: 6 Bridges Cruise on the Douro River” go to the Tomaz do Douro stand 15 minutes before departure to receive the Voucher. The stand is located next to the boarding area.
Accommodation
Ribeira presents itself as one of the most authentic places in the city and is therefore an area with the most demand for accommodation. My 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 advise.
