The Clérigos Tower is one of the main icons of the city of Porto in Portugal. This majestic bell tower, classified as a National Monument since 1910, is part of the Clérigos Church and is one of the most emblematic symbols of the city.
Built in the 18th century, between 1754 and 1763, this bell tower was a project by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, who also designed other important buildings in the city of Porto. The Clérigos Tower is an example of Baroque architecture, with its many statues of saints, prominent cornices, and balustrades.
The Clérigos Tower was built in granite and marble and has six floors, corresponding to about 75 meters in height. It is accessible by a spiral staircase with 225 steps, which provides visitors with an impressive view of the city and the Douro River from the top.
The first floor of the Clérigos Tower houses the sacristy, while the second floor houses the bell room, with a total of six bells that ring regularly to announce the hours of the day and masses. The third floor has a gallery that offers panoramic views of the city, while the fourth floor is a space reserved for the clock, which is one of the largest in Portugal.
The fifth floor of the tower is reserved for the exhibition room, where various exhibitions about the history and culture of Porto are displayed. Finally, the sixth and top floor is the top of the tower, from where impressive views of the city and the Douro River can be seen.
For many years, the Clérigos Tower was the tallest building in Portugal.
The Clérigos Tower is a true architectural treasure of the city of Porto, with its Baroque style and imposing design. Its construction was largely financed by donations from the local community, which demonstrates the importance and value that were attributed to it at the time.
In addition to being an important tourist attraction, the Clérigos Tower also played a fundamental role in the history of the city of Porto. It was from here that the arrival of ships at the city’s port was monitored, and where the bells were rung to announce important news.
In summary, the Clérigos Tower is a historical and cultural monument of great importance to the city of Porto and to all of Portugal. Its impressive Baroque architecture, unique spiral staircase, and panoramic views of the city and the Douro River make it one of the main tourist attractions in the city.
SUGGESTION:
It is possible to climb the 75-meter tower and observe the city from a unique perspective.
