Bust of Arthur Wellesley Porto

Bust of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, Porto

A bust of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, stands outside the Museu Nacional de Soares in Porto.

The building served as the HQ of the French army and later the Duke of Wellington during part of the Peninsular War (1807-1814).

The Duke of Wellington

Arthur Wellesley (1768-1852) was along with General William Beresford (1768-1854) the British commanders who helped to defend Portugal from the forces of Napoleon. In 1809 Wellesley retook the city of Porto from French forces in the so-called Second Battle of Porto, which involved a dramatic crossing of the Douro in small boats, aided by the local population.