Venue

The city of Porto

This gracious capital of the north is Portugal's second largest city and one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Rich from centuries of trade, modern Porto is as much a cosmopolitan centre as it is a city steeped in the historical events of the past. Being built on the slopes of the steep hills that overlook the River Douro, Porto has a truly unique appearance and its historic centre has already been classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The 'granite city' is also known for its striking bridges and the much celebrated Port wine, which is stored and savoured by wine lovers all over the world.

In 2001, Porto was an European Cultural Capital (together with Roterdam), but every year the events held in this city bring together thousands of people. Amongst the city´s most important events are Fantasporto (an International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantasy Films), held in February/March and the city´s popular festivities held in June in honour of St. John the Baptist. Porto's most important cultural buildings are perhaps the a new House of Music, idealized by Rem Koolhaas, and "Museu de Serralves", a very nice Museum of Modern Art.

Brief history of the city

In the area where the Douro river ran through, existed a village called Cale (V Century). Later it is referred as Portus Cale and Portucale, the origin of the country´s name. When Vímara Peres repopulates this area in the IX Century, Portucale also designates the territory dependente on it and in the X Century the whole area south of the River Lima.

In the XIV Century the city receives a new mural. Though designated as Fernandina, its construction must have happened between the reigns of D. Afonso IV and D. João I. This fortification defines the historic nucleus of Porto.

In the end of the XV Century Porto had only one parish and its population didn´t go beyond the 10 000 inhabitants (far less than Lisbon, which had about 50 000). However, in the XVII Century Porto knows an important growth due to the wine commerce. The signature of the Methuen Treaty (1703) favours the exportation of wines to Great Britain and then creates the Royal Company of Wine Agriculture of the High Douro ("Real Companhia da Agricultura dos Vinhos do Alto Douro").

Another period of the urban history of Porto happens in the XIX Century with the Industrial Revolution. Many factories settle down in the city, bourgeoisie neighborhoods are built and avenues are opened. Porto becomes a commercial and industrial city, with the parish of Massarelos as its center. In this place, that began as the center of the salt production in the XIII Century, foundries, millings and the first thermal center of town are built. In 1855 public lighting was inaugurated and in 1865 the Crystal Palace (picture on the right) is inaugurated.

The development of a city cannot happen without transportation and the River Douro was an obstacle that was only surpassed with the technical progress of the XIX Century. After some less important bridges, in 1877 was built the D. Maria bridge (for trains) and in 1886 is inaugurated the D. Luis bridge, by Gustav Eiffel, one of the ex-libris of the city. Nowadays Porto has 5 bridges crossing the river, and 2 more are being built.

The 20th century brought even more development to Porto. The renovation of the center begins, with opening of the Aliados's Avenue and the new Town House, and the also the beautiful São Bento Train Station (inaugurated in 1909). The University grows (it is now Portugal biggest academy) and its economy boosts. Today, Porto is a thriving industrial centre (textiles, clothing, shoes and leather goods, beverages and food processing, printing and publishing, and chemicals).

Travel Information

Porto features a modern airport, Francisco Sá Carneiro, which has recently been distinguished at the Airport Service Quality Awards promoted by ACI - Airport Council International, with the award of the 3rd place in the category of Best European Airport, having also been distinguished with the 3rd place in the category of Best Airport with less than 5 million passengers.

Many low-cost companies fly to Porto from several major european cities, such as London, Paris or Frankfurt. The price of these flights can be as low as 30 euros, roundtrip. You should compare the combined price of flying to a major european airport and then fly to Porto with a low-cost carrier, with the regular carrier price for a trip ending in Porto. Beware that most low-cost companies do not operate from major international airports, and you should thus account for the airport transfer. For instance, from London, Ryanair operates from Stansted, which is quite far from Heathrow or Gatwick.

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is located 11km from Porto. There are several ways of reaching the city via public transport:

• Subway

  Line Violeta: connection to city downtown and interface with Railways.

  Aeroporto (Airport) - Casa da Música (House of Music) > 23 minutes
  Aeroporto - Trindade > 28 minutes
  Aeroporto - Campanhã Station > 33 minutes
  Aeroporto - Dragão Stadium > 35 minutes
  Schedule: 06h00 - 01h30
  Charge: 1,35 euros
  Check the subway information and maps at www.metrodoporto.pt

  If you are staying at the conference site hotel or nearby, then you should exit at Casa da Música and it will be a 10 minute walk to the Hotel. We have created a Google enabled map with the walking circuit. We'll add further information on that map, such as restaurants and interesting places to visit. It is available here.

• Taxis

  All taxis are equipped with a taximeter, and the fares that drivers may charge is limited to that which is displayed on the meter. For the entire day of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and on all other days from 09:00pm at night until 06:00am in the morning, a surcharge of 20% is automatically added to the fare on the taximeter.

  As a general guide, the price on the meter corresponds to the number of kilometres travelled between the pick-up point and the destination, multiplied by 0.80 euros, or in the event of a round trip fare, the rate would be multiplied by 0.40 euros, except in those periods subject to the above-mentioned 20% surcharge. Waiting times are excluded from these rate quotes. Any toll roads taken by the taxi must be paid by the customer.

  The rate for a taxi that has been called via radio taxi or phone will bear a surcharge of 0.80 euros. Baggage that exceeds the special dimensions of 55cm x 35cm x 20cm may also bear a surcharge of 1.60 euros. The transportation of cradles, prams/strollers, and wheelchairs is free of charge and tipping is at the customer's discretion. Prices quoted are for a maximum of 4 passengers. All taxis of standard colour are obliged to affix on the window of the rear left-side door a rate table that the customer may consult in case of any doubt or query.