Fernandine Walls of Porto

Category: Military Architecture > Walls

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Centro Histórico

Location

The Fernandine Walls, despite having been largely absorbed by urban expansion, mark the silhouette of Porto's Historic Centre. Their remains are integrated into the network of streets and buildings that characterize this area, allowing visitors direct contact with the city's history. Some of their most visible sections wind through elevated areas, offering panoramic views over the Douro River and the surrounding architecture, particularly on the Guindais escarpment, where the wall approaches the Ribeira district.

A Medieval Heritage

Built in the 14th century, the Fernandine Walls represent a fundamental landmark in Porto's development. At that time, the city was experiencing a period of intense expansion, driven by growing commercial and maritime activities along the Douro riverbank. The `Cerca Velha`, the primitive wall that protected the initial nucleus around the Cathedral, had become insufficient. Thus, around 1370, this new defensive belt was completed, which, although begun during the reign of D. Afonso IV, became historically known by the name of D. Fernando, the monarch who saw it finished.

The Grandeur of the Construction

The Fernandine Walls were an impressive work of Gothic military engineering. Approximately nine meters high and with a robust structure, they featured a distinct geometric layout, with prominent battlements, various cubelos and elevated towers. Their perimeter, approximately 2,600 meters, delimited a vast area of 44.5 hectares, encompassing the growing city. Although originally featuring seventeen gates and postigos (small gates) for access control and defense, most have disappeared over time, bearing witness to Porto's urban evolution.

Current Remains and Views

Over the centuries, and with the loss of their military function, the walls were progressively demolished from the 18th century onwards, making way for new streets and buildings. However, small sections have survived, and are now classified as national monuments, preserving the memory of the medieval city. Notable among these are the imposing `Guindais Section`, which offers a privileged perspective over the Douro and its bridges, and the `Postigo do Carvão` (Coal Wicket Gate), the only original access that remains visible in the Ribeira area. These fragments invite reflection on Porto's defensive past and allow appreciation of its riverside landscape from a distinct angle.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt