The Temple of Dagon

Porto Tiago Mendes Atletico Madrid Jersey , the second largest city in Portugal, is as robust and intoxicating as the fortified wine that is produced here. Port wine has been aged, bottled, and distributed from here for over three centuries, and the historic port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia on the southern shore of the Douro River are major tourist attractions. There is more to enjoy in Porto besides a glass of port but, like a splash on a crisp white tablecloth, port has left an indelible mark on the city. At the heart of Porto is the historic Ribeira district. Designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996, it’s a heap of tall medieval townhouses that clamber up the steep north bank of the Douro all the way to the vast Episcopal Palace and imposing 12th-century Porto Cathedral. It’s easy to lose yourself amid the narrow, winding alleys that traverse this atmospheric and slightly seedy neighborhood-and as you do, you should remember that Porto’s rich architectural heritage of medieval tenements, baroque churches, iron bridges, and art nouveau stores Thomas Partey Atletico Madrid Jersey , is evidence of the wealth that came to this city thanks to its pivotal role in the port trade. Although much of Ribeira is muddled and muddy due to ongoing renovations, the riverfront promenade Cais da Ribeira, with its parade of colorful balconied houses, medieval arches, and a host of lively restaurants and pavement caf?s, is one of Porto’s most photogenic spots. It’s also a perfect spot to sample a glass of port. Moored along the quayside you’ll see several grand, old, wooden boats. Known as a Barco Rabelo, this type of flat-bottomed, square-sailed boat first entered service in 1792 when they were used to carry port here from the vineyards high up in the Douro Valley. Nowadays, they’re used primarily to ferry tourists across the river to visit the wine cellars on the opposite bank. An alternative way to cross the river to the cellars is via Ponte Lu?s I. This impressive, two-tier, iron bridge dates to 1886 Stefan Savic Atletico Madrid Jersey , when it was the longest arch bridge in the world. Road traffic now uses just the lower deck, while the lofty upper deck carries electric trains from Porto’s new Metro system alongside a pedestrian walkway. The view from up here is spectacular, but it’s best avoided if you’re acrophobic. If you think there’s something je ne sais quoi about its arched iron construction.something reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.you’d be correct, because this bridge was in fact engineered by one of Gustave Eiffel’s pupils, T?ophile Seyrig. Indeed, Eiffel and Seyrig together engineered Porto’s Ponte Dona Maria Pia railway bridge a decade earlier, in 1877, which stands upriver from here. Port wine is ubiquitous even on a night out in Porto’s small but lively gay scene. Starting the evening at gay-mixed Caf? Lusitano in the trendy Cl?rigos neighborhood, I asked for a caipirinha, the Brazilian cocktail omnipresent in the bars and clubs of Lisbon, but here I was told they didn’t have that. Instead I was offered a local alternative of white port served over ice with tonic water and mint leaves. It was deliciously refreshing. With its chandeliers, wood-panelled interior, velvet upholstered chairs Saul Niguez Atletico Madrid Jersey , and marble topped bar, there’s a grand air of the 1900s about Caf? Lusitano, an illusion broken only by the 21st-century collective of students, hip young locals, and handsome gay guys who today colonize this place. On fine summer evenings, stake a claim outdoors at the bars on nearby Rua da Galeria de Paris. They are certainly worth a visit. Dating to 1903, this narrow street was originally conceived to be a chic Parisian-style arcade, but the planned glass roof was never built. Although the ornate art nouveau buildings fell into disrepair when the area fell out of fashion, they’ve recently been “recycled” as bars, restaurants, and specialist shops, and have become fashionable once again. Of particular note is Galeria de Paris. The original cabinets of this former textile shop have been retained and now display an insane mix of antique oddities, including vintage radio sets and model boats Raul Jimenez Atletico Madrid Jersey , making this a unique place to enjoy a drink or good and inexpensive Portuguese home cooking. It’s a very informal set-up, so grab a candlelit table when you can. There’s often live piano music, or a set by a local DJ, and come midnight, it gets as packed as a can of sardines. The proper gay scene starts on weekends after 1 A.M. Having any gay scene is a relatively new phenomenon here. Even though Porto first celebrated Gay Pride in 2001, there wasn’t a proper Gay Pride march until 2006, but Porto’s gays and lesbians still know how to party. Flashy little Boys’R'Us is Porto’s best-known gay venue. Open for over a decade in the very heart of town, it’s always a lot of fun. A bit farther out, Pride is favored by a slightly younger and alternative crowd, and the DJ has a more varied playlist that embraces 80s disco classics and Portuguese pop as well as current club anthems, so it’s worth the extra effort. Both have occasional drag shows, and both attract a small smattering of lesbians. On Saturdays from 4 A.M., anyone who is still standing will migrate to Zoom. Occupying a former warehouse Raul Garcia Atletico Madrid Jersey , this is Porto’s current gay hotspot, and with muscular go-go boys, huge mirror balls, and booming house music, it ticks every box. It’s not only venues like Caf? Lusitano and Galeria de Paris that have lovely interiors echoing the 1900s. Continue to explore the Cl?rigos neighborhood and you’ll find what is rated as one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world. With a neo-gothic fa?ade and an interior that has remained unchanged since 1906, Livraria Lello is a magical place. Built as the flagship store for one of Portugal’s most prestigious publishing houses, I could easily envisage this as Dumbledore.