Medieval Tower

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Porto > Porto > Porto

Location

The Medieval Tower is located in the heart of the historic zone of Porto, in an area that reflects the city's ancient past. Situated on a sloping terrain, this tower is harmoniously integrated into the traditional housing, offering a perspective of urban evolution over the centuries. Its position, close to the site where the Cathedral Square once extended, allows visitors to observe one of the oldest and most significant buildings that mark the landscape of this part of the city.

A Medieval Heritage

Known by different names, such as the Tower of Rua de D. Pedro Pitões or the Tower of the City, this edifice is a remarkable example of a medieval tower-house. These constructions, common in other eras, served both as residences and defensive elements for the city's affluent families. The existence of a fortress-like structure, like this tower, symbolized the power and growing autonomy of Porto's inhabitants in managing their own affairs.

Rediscovery and Reconstruction

For many centuries, the Medieval Tower remained hidden among the constructions that formed Porto's old housing, almost invisible to the eye. It was only in the 1940s, during a period of major urban transformations in the Sé area, that the tower was rediscovered. Recognizing its historical and architectural value as a rare medieval vestige, it was decided to preserve it. The building was carefully dismantled and subsequently reconstructed about fifteen meters from its original position. The architect Rogério de Azevedo was responsible for this intervention, adding elements that reinforce its authenticity, such as a stone balcony of Gothic inspiration.

Architectural Features

The Medieval Tower is a quadrangular structure, developed over two floors, built predominantly of granite, a robust stone characteristic of Porto's buildings. Among its architectural details, a door with a ogival arch on the south facade and a stone balcony of Gothic style on the north facade stand out. These details not only contribute to its imposing appearance, recalling its original function as a fortress, but also illustrate the architectural aesthetic of the era in which it was built or recreated.

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