Porto Skyline: history on the Douro River
An urban skyline inspired by the Douro
Porto's skyline has been designed taking as a reference the view from the Douro River, where the city rises in steps to its highest points.
Our silhouette begins with the emblematic Ponte Dom Luis I, the protagonist of the skyline, which connects the city with Vila Nova de Gaia. To its left, the silhouette descends towards the Ribeira do Porto, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Europe.
Climbing up through the historic center rise the Sé do Porto, the Convento dos Grilos and the Paço Episcopal. A little further up, the Torre dos Clérigos stands out. Finally, the silhouette is completed with the Mosteiro de São Bento da Vitória.
How did we design this skyline?
This skyline has been manually traced from photographs taken from the Arrábida Bridge and from the Gaia riverbank.
We used architectural references and urban plans to vectorize each building faithfully, maintaining a clean and continuous style.
Our priority was to preserve the proportions, the levels and the relationship between real heights, to transmit the identity of Oporto in a balanced and meaningful piece.
Tips for getting to know the city of Porto
- Walk along the Ribeira at sunset and feel the atmosphere among colorful houses, restaurants and street musicians.
- Cross the Ponte Dom Luís I on the upper level on foot and enjoy the skyline from the sky.
- Visit the Lello Bookstore, one of the most beautiful in the world.
- Enter the São Bento Station and its more than 20,000 historical tiles.
- Climb the Torre dos Clérigos and contemplate Porto from 76 meters high.
- Discover the Mirador da Vitória, free and with spectacular views.
- Do a port wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia overlooking the old town.
- Try a francesinha in a local bar, the most hearty typical dish of the city.
- Take a cruise on the Douro and see the skyline from the water.
- Look for tiles in doorways, churches and street corners: Porto is an open museum.
