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Fernandine Walls of Porto
The Walls of Dom Fernando (Portuguese: Muralhas de D. Fernando), or Fernandine Walls (Portuguese: Muralhas Fernandinas), are medieval fortifications located in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória, in the municipality of Porto, Portuguese Porto.
Construction of a series of walls began in 1336 in the reign of D. Afonso IV and were completed during the reign of D. Fernando in 1376. The first walls were built on the foundations of a small "circus" that encircled an area of smaller dimensions, reflecting the great development of the town. The basis of these new walls were marked by an inscription dating 1348 over the gate of Postigo do Carvão. This Romanesque wall was constructed in the 12th century, demarcating the administrative and urbanistic extent of Porto, after a long period of dispersed population. Of this structure, there are important remains that were not destroyed in the intervening years. Encircling the Sé's wall (the centre of the medieval town) is an irregular oval, cut by four principal gates, among them the Gate of Vandoma (that was demolished by the municipal council in 1885). The enlargement over the next 200 years beyond the Romanesque walls to the ones constructed in the 14th century was due to the town's population growth to about 10000 inhabitants. The city developed in all directions, but primarily towards the west and north, linked by the elevated bridges of Vitória and Batalha; its growth is easily recognizable in the urban relief. The main line is located in the east, easily visible from the bridge Ponte D. Luís, and comprises a section of walls with road, protected by two rectangular towers.
In the following centuries, there were many alterations. The majority of these changes affected the gates and lines of communication with the exterior.
In 1409, the Postigo dos Carros gate was constructed, followed in 1521 by the construction of the Porta Nova dos Carros. This new gate eventually replaced the Postigo da Praia in 1522.
By 1529, it was necessary to urgently repair the line of walls between the Porta de Santo Elói and Porta do Olival; records from that time suggest that 360 "arms-lengths" were in a state of ruin.
In 1580, a small round fort was constructed on the angle alongside the Porta Nova or Porta Nobre.
By 1764, the first repurposing the walls began with the Postigo de Santo Elói transformed into a gate, followed in 1768 by the Postigo do Penedo and the Porta do Sol reused and reconstructed, with 45 "arms-lengths" of wall along the Monastery of Santa Clara. Various gates began to be demolished during this period; in 1774, the Porta da Ribeira was demolished; between 1789 and 1794, the Porta do Olival was destroyed; in 1792, the Porta de Nossa Senhora da Batalha was also taken down; and by 1821, removal of the line of walls that closed the access to the Praça da Ribera along the river.
In the first half of the 19th century, the walls parallel to the river in front of the urban area of Barredo, were transformed through the opening of a series of arcades separated by small oculi.
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Fernandine Walls of Porto
The Walls of Dom Fernando (Portuguese: Muralhas de D. Fernando), or Fernandine Walls (Portuguese: Muralhas Fernandinas), are medieval fortifications located in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória, in the municipality of Porto, Portuguese Porto.
Construction of a series of walls began in 1336 in the reign of D. Afonso IV and were completed during the reign of D. Fernando in 1376. The first walls were built on the foundations of a small "circus" that encircled an area of smaller dimensions, reflecting the great development of the town. The basis of these new walls were marked by an inscription dating 1348 over the gate of Postigo do Carvão. This Romanesque wall was constructed in the 12th century, demarcating the administrative and urbanistic extent of Porto, after a long period of dispersed population. Of this structure, there are important remains that were not destroyed in the intervening years. Encircling the Sé's wall (the centre of the medieval town) is an irregular oval, cut by four principal gates, among them the Gate of Vandoma (that was demolished by the municipal council in 1885). The enlargement over the next 200 years beyond the Romanesque walls to the ones constructed in the 14th century was due to the town's population growth to about 10000 inhabitants. The city developed in all directions, but primarily towards the west and north, linked by the elevated bridges of Vitória and Batalha; its growth is easily recognizable in the urban relief. The main line is located in the east, easily visible from the bridge Ponte D. Luís, and comprises a section of walls with road, protected by two rectangular towers.
In the following centuries, there were many alterations. The majority of these changes affected the gates and lines of communication with the exterior.
In 1409, the Postigo dos Carros gate was constructed, followed in 1521 by the construction of the Porta Nova dos Carros. This new gate eventually replaced the Postigo da Praia in 1522.
By 1529, it was necessary to urgently repair the line of walls between the Porta de Santo Elói and Porta do Olival; records from that time suggest that 360 "arms-lengths" were in a state of ruin.
In 1580, a small round fort was constructed on the angle alongside the Porta Nova or Porta Nobre.
By 1764, the first repurposing the walls began with the Postigo de Santo Elói transformed into a gate, followed in 1768 by the Postigo do Penedo and the Porta do Sol reused and reconstructed, with 45 "arms-lengths" of wall along the Monastery of Santa Clara. Various gates began to be demolished during this period; in 1774, the Porta da Ribeira was demolished; between 1789 and 1794, the Porta do Olival was destroyed; in 1792, the Porta de Nossa Senhora da Batalha was also taken down; and by 1821, removal of the line of walls that closed the access to the Praça da Ribera along the river.
In the first half of the 19th century, the walls parallel to the river in front of the urban area of Barredo, were transformed through the opening of a series of arcades separated by small oculi.