Portugal Visitor Guide

Igreja da Santíssima Trindade Porto

Igreja da Santíssima Trindade, Porto

The Igreja da Santíssima Trindade in Porto is a Neoclassical church built in the 19th century.

History

The church's initial architect was Carlos Amarante (1748-1815), who was also responsible for the main church of Bom Jesus in Braga. The architect is himself buried within the church, which was finally completed in 1841.

Granite exterior of the church

Architecture

The interior of the church is noted for a painting by the artist José de Brito (1855-1946), who studied at the University of Porto and came from nearby Viana do Castelo. The large panel by the artist in the chancel features the Baptism of Christ.

The main altarpiece was designed by the architect José Marques da Silva. The building's design reveals an adherence to the neoclassical style, although Baroque decorative details still remain in the altarpieces. The church is laid out in a Latin cross plan.

Access - Getting There

Rua da Trindade 115
4000-220 Porto

The church is located in Praça da Trindade close to Porto's Town Hall. Behind the church is the Hospital da Ordem da Trindade.

The nearest Porto metro station is Trindade.

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Porto Bus 206

Porto Bus 206

The Porto bus 206 runs between Campanha Station in Porto and Br. Santo Eugénio in the north west of the city.

206 Bus at Campanha Station

The bus makes 35 stops on the route. The duration of the route is around 40 minutes.

From Campanha Station the first bus is at 6.02 am with the last bus at 11.45 pm. On Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays the first bus from Campanha Station is at 6.05 am with the final bus at 11.45 pm. From Br. Santo Eugénio the first bus on weekdays is at 7 am with the last departure at 8.40 pm. There are earlier and later departures from Viso at 6 am and 11.15 pm.

Stops on the route include Bonfim, Santo Isidro, Bica Velha, Viso (on the Porto metro lines A, B, C, E) and Cotovias.

Porto Bus Routes

400

507

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Buses From Marquês de Pombal

Buses From Marquês de Pombal, Lisbon

The large roundabout that circles the statue of the Marquês de Pombal at Praça Marquês de Pombal is a major hub for Lisbon buses.

783 Lisbon Bus with the statue of Pombal in the background

Several major roads feed into the roundabout and head off in different directions around the city.

These include Avenida Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco heading west, the Avenida da Liberdade heading south and the Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo north east towards Picoas Station. Right on the square is the Marquês de Pombal metro station.

736 Lisbon Bus

Buses

Lisbon buses that stop at Praça Marquês de Pombal include the following:

The 723 bus running between Algés and Desterro.

The 736 bus between Odivelas and Cais do Sodre Station via Senhor Roubado, Lumiar, Entrecampos, Picoas, Restauradores and Rossio metro stations.

738 Lisbon Bus

The 738 bus from Alto Santo Amaro to Quinta Barros.

The 748 bus between Linda-a-Velha and Marquês de Pombal.

The 753 bus running between Centro Sul and Pç. José Fontana.

The 783 bus between Prior Velho and Amoreiras shopping center via Lisbon Airport, Entrecampos and Saldanha.

The AeroBus to Lisbon Airport also stops here.

Hotels near Praça Marquês de Pombal

This area of Lisbon is also home to many fairly upmarket hotels in the 3-4 star range.

These include the HF Fénix Lisboa, the HF Fénix Garden, the HF Fénix Music, the four star Hotel Florida, the three star Hotel Dom Carlos Park, the four star Turim Av Liberdade Hotel and the three star SANA Capitol Hotel.

Nearby

To the north of the square is the Parque Eduardo VII which contains the lovely Estufa Fria and the Pavilhão Carlos Lopes.

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Multibanco in Portugal

Multibanco

There are estimated to be over 12,000 multibanco in Portugal. They are an integral part of the banking system in the country. They are operated by Sociedade Interbancária de Serviços SA (SIBS) and began in 1985 with just 12 machines in Lisbon and Porto.

Multibanco accept most major credit and debit cards.

These ubiquitous and very handy machines can be found in airports, banks (as in those pictured above and below), shopping malls, stations and supermarkets.

They provide various other services in addition to simple cash withdrawals and account balance checks.

Customers can initiate bank transfers, make deposits, arrange direct debits as well as top up a cell phone. You can purchase a Portuguese fishing permit using a multibanco.

You can also pay your income tax and utility bills even buy tickets for the cinema.

You can withdraw up to 400 Euros per day from a multibanco with a maximum of 200 Euros per transaction. One useful tip to avoid foreign exchange fees is to complete the transaction in the local currency (Euro) if prompted on the screen to choose between home currency or local currency.

Estádio do Varzim Sport Club

Estádio do Varzim Sport Club

Varzim Sport Club, currently in the second tier of Portuguese football, play their home games at the aging Estádio do Varzim Sport Club in Póvoa de Varzim north of Porto.

The ground was built in 1929 and holds a capacity of 11,000 spectators. The football club, nicknamed the Sea Wolves (Lobos do Mar) has played over 20 seasons in the top league of Portuguese football, the Primeira Liga, but now has fallen on harder times. It has been rather overshadowed by Rio Ave in the town of Vila do Conde to the south.

Home ground of neighbors Rio Ave

Access - Getting There

4490-475 Povoa de Varzim
Tel: 252 249 000

The stadium is a 20 minute walk or taxi ride from Póvoa de Varzim Station, which is at the northern end of Line B of the Porto metro. The stadium is close to the sea and Praia dos Beijinhos, north of the casino.

The Axis Vermar Hotel is very close by, a short walk further north.

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Chafariz das Cinco Bicas

Chafariz das Cinco Bicas, Caldas da Rainha

The Chafariz das Cinco Bicas (Fountain of Five Spouts) is a large, Baroque fountain in Caldas da Rainha. The water descends in a cascade from bowls decorated with acanthus and other plant motifs. The fountain is accessed by two flights of stairs with the lower level having a drinking tank for animals.

The fountain was erected in 1748 during the reign of D. João V and is the most impressive of three such fountains erected at the time, when Caldas was at the height of its popularity as a spa town and retreat.

The fountain has five star-shaped spouts under the main bowl which gives it its name.

The spouts allude to the seven Pleiades in classical mythology, the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the Oceanid Pleione: Maia, Electra, Taygete, Celaeno, Alcyone, Sterope, and Merope. The Pleiades are associated with rain and water. Such allusions are common in Baroque iconography in water-related architecture.

The Latin inscription refers to the beneficence of the monarch and the idea of water as a heavenly gift.

The fountain was part of the town's water supply system when it was built. Azeitão, south of Lisbon, is another town with impressive fountains.

Accommodation

See a listing of all available hotels in Caldas da Rainha.

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Setubal Tourist Office

Setúbal Tourist Office

One of the Tourist Offices (Turismo) in Setúbal is certainly different. It has Roman remains visible beneath a glass floor.

Located off Avenida Luísa Todi, the turismo has a glass floor revealing an ancient Roman fish condiment factory below.

The town has been a fish processing centre since the Roman era, it seems, though tourism is probably the major industry now.

Roman remains seen through a glass floor

The Tourist Office has friendly, English-speaking staff and a collection of brochures on the city and surrounding area. They can help with finding accommodation and booking onward travel.

Setúbal Regional Tourist Office

Access - Getting There

Regional Turismo
Travessa Frei Gaspar 10
Setúbal 2900-388
Tel: 265 539 120

The nearest railway station is Praca do Quebedo to the east.

There is a cluster of hotels located near Setúbal Station including the recommended four star Meliá Setúbal Hotel, the Hotel Arangues, three stars and the four star Luna Esperanca Centro Hotel.

See a listing of all available hotels in Setúbal.

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738 Lisbon Bus

738 Lisbon Bus

The 738 bus in Lisbon runs from Alto de Santo Amaro to Quinta dos Barros and then back. The 758 connects with several Lisbon metro stations including from Qta Barros, Cidade Universitária, Entrecampo, Campo Pequeno, Saldanha, Picoas, Marques de Pombal and Rato.

738 Lisbon Bus

Schedule

The first bus from Qta Barro is at 6.50 am Monday to Friday with the last bus at 9.40 pm. At peak times in the morning and evening rush hours up to 4 buses run per hour. On Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays the timetable is slightly different with less frequency.

From Alto de Santo Amaro the first bus on weekdays is at 6.30 am with the last bus at 9.30 pm.

Other Lisbon bus routes covered include: 714, 727, 728, 730, 736, 758, 767 and 783.

Accommodation in Portugal

Hotels in the Algarve - Booking.com

Hotels in Lisbon - Booking.com

Hotels in Porto - Booking.com

Hotels in Portugal - Booking.com

Hotels in Portugal - Agoda

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Fountains in Azeitão

Fountains in Azeitão

The charming wine-producing town of Azeitão, between Lisbon and Setubal, has a number of lovely fountains (chafariz in Portuguese). A free map from the tourist office (turismo) near where buses arrive from Coina Station lists them.

Pasmados Fountain

Chafariz dos Pasmados

The first one you will see is also probably the most beautiful. It is Pasmados Fountain (Chafariz dos Pasmados) opposite the Igreja de São Lourenço. It was built between 1764 and 1777 as part of a poverty relief scheme. The fountain bears the coat of arms of King José I. The name translates as "Fountain of the Stunned" so-called as visitors are left "stunned" by the fountain's beauty.

Igreja de São Lourenço

Igreja de São Lourenço

The Igreja de São Lourenço is the town's main church. It dates back to the 16th century. It was damaged but repaired after the Earthquake of 1755. The plain exterior belies the richness of the interior complete with 18th century azulejos tile work showing scenes from the Old Testament and the life of São Lourenço (Saint Lawrence). There is also earlier 16th century tile work and a beautiful marble altar with ornate wood and gold leaf carvings.

Also on this side of the road is the Sabores e Encantos de Azeitão, a restaurant on the site of the old public laundry (Lavadouros). It serves both coffee and local wines along with superb cheeses and hams from the area.

Pasmados Fountain

Sabores e Encantos de Azeitão

Chafariz de Aldeia Rica

Heading west down the main road, Rua José Augusto Coelho, there are several more fountains. The first one is the Chafariz de Aldeia Rica at the junction of Rua Fisco. This is another lovely fountain done in white and yellow paint work with seats to escape the sun and relax.

Chafariz de Aldeia Rica

Chafariz de Oleiros

Walk west again and you will come to the Chafariz de Oleiros at the intersection of Rua Manuel Jorge from the north. This is the last of the fountains in town. This has period tile work showing uniformed soldiers and a Roman era engraved stone. There is also a now disused public laundry here that once made use of the water supply.