You are in the heart of the Ribeira, the riverside quarter. Before Porto climbed its hills, this is where city life happened: boats, cargo, fishermen and merchants.

1From fire to arcades

The square already existed in the Middle Ages. In 1491 a fire destroyed the houses around it, and they were rebuilt with arcades at ground level, some of which you can still see. In the 18th century the governor João de Almada e Melo had the square remodelled, with a scheme involving the English consul John Whitehead, paid for out of wine revenues.

2A fountain and a saint

In the 1980s, excavations uncovered an old fountain, which was rebuilt in place and crowned with a bronze cube by the sculptor José Rodrigues, known to everyone as the «Cubo da Ribeira». On 24 June 2000, Saint John's Day, a statue of the saint by João Cutileiro was unveiled beside it.

Saint John is Porto's favourite patron saint: on the night of 23 to 24 June the whole city takes to the streets.

3What to look for

  • The rabelo boats at the quay, the traditional craft that carried wine down the Douro.
  • The narrow façades, tall and colourful, with iron balconies.
  • The Cubo da Ribeira and the statue of Saint John on the fountain.

Documented

The square is medieval in origin; after the 1491 fire it was rebuilt with arcades, and in the 18th century it was remodelled on the initiative of João de Almada e Melo. The statue of Saint John dates from 2000.

Sources and credits

Visit Porto, Praça da Ribeira entry; Infopédia (Porto Editora), «Ribeira do Porto»; UNESCO, Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar.

Photos:

  • Praça da Ribeira with colourful houses and café terraces: Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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