Living history of the Liberal cause in the city of Porto

The "PORTO LIBERAL Route" was launched to understand the importance of the city of Porto in the Liberal Wars, also known as the Portuguese Civil War, the War of the Two Brothers (D. Pedro and D. Miguel), or Miguelite War, which opposed progressive constitutionalists and authoritarian absolutists in Portugal over royal succession, from 1828 to 1834.

The establishment of a Liberal Route throughout the city of Porto was announced last year, and it is implemented this year and on this day, July 8, 185 years after the Landing of Mindelo. One day after the landing, the Liberal army entered Porto and found the city abandoned by the Royalist troops, whose leaders, ignoring the exact number of Liberal forces, had decided to withdraw.

The resistance of the city of Porto and the troops of Dom Pedro, also known as the Siege of Porto, greatly contributed to the victory of the liberal cause in Portugal. 

Famous rebels that fought in the Siege of Porto on the Liberal side are Almeida Garrett, Alexandre Herculano and Joaquim António de Aguiar.

The main aim of this route is to inform about the most iconic places, buildings, streets, landscapes, and memories of the always very noble and loyal unvanquished city of Porto and that are part of that period in Portuguese History.

Six institutions of the city are committed to establishing a Liberal Route of the city of Porto, namely the Venerable Brotherhood of Nossa Senhora da Lapa, promoter of the idea, Porto City Hall, Military Museum of Porto (Portuguese Army), Directorate General of Cultural Heritage, Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto (Museum and Church) and Regional Directorate of Culture of the North.

All these entities have signed a protocol in order to promote an active historic revisiting of that time in History. The document was signed at Brotherhood of Nossa Senhora da Lapa, where the heart of D. Pedro IV (I of Brazil) - the Soldier King, symbol of Portuguese Liberalism is laid down.

This new cultural heritage programme pleases Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, as "it will enable those who visit us, live or study here to better understand these historic period".

The Route highlights:

Heroísmo Street

Military Museum of Porto 

Municipal Library of Porto

General Sousa Dias Street

Serra do Pilar Monastery

Fonseca Guedes House

Church of Congregates

Liberdade Square

Museum and Church (Misericórdia do Porto)

Prison and Court of Justice

Royal Navy and Commerce Academy 

Soares dos Reis National Museum

D. Pedro IV Headquarters

Street of the Martyrs of Freedom

Santo Ovídio Barrack

Lapa Church

Prepare your journey through Porto Liberal Route! Download the Map here.