This is Porto. The map is the real city and the round is played on its real streets, where attractions like the Casa da Música are the basis for the holes. Skip is a local guide who knows the place, including where to find the best crumbs. It is a full round of 18 holes with a par of 55. The walk covers 10.9 km and uses 46 portals to move across the map.
Casa da Música is a concert hall in Porto, Portugal, built in the deconstructivism style. It is an instance of a theatre building and an organization. The project was designed by architects Rem Koolhaas and Ellen van Loon, as well as the Office for Metropolitan Architecture. While it is a prominent landmark, it is currently heritage without legal protection. I've seen a few fellow pigeons try to perch on those sharp angles, though it takes some practice to find a steady spot.
You might expect a different look for a place of worship here, but the Sinagoga Kadoorie is a synagogue built in the modern architecture style. Started in 1938, it is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue. Beyond its primary religious role, the building is also a museum and cultural heritage site. You can find this location at 340 Guerra Junqueiro Street. While it holds significant value to the community, it is currently heritage without legal protection.
You might expect another traditional art gallery here, but this is the Museu do Holocausto do Porto. It is a Holocaust museum located in Porto that focuses on the memory of the genocide. The institution was founded in 2021 to ensure these histories are preserved and studied locally. I find the atmosphere here encourages a very specific kind of reflection that you won't find at the other stops on our course. It is a place of deep significance that stands apart from the usual tourist path, offering a sobering look at human history right in the heart of the city.
Let me show you the Massarelos district, where you will find the Museu do Carro Eléctrico. This tramway museum is installed in a former thermoelectric power station and is considered cultural heritage. The museum was inaugurated in 1992 and is operated by the Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto. Inside, you can pick out a collection that contains 16 electric cars, 5 trailers, and two maintenance vehicles. It is a great spot to see how the city moved in the past. I usually find the old power station building quite striking from the outside.
You can find Torre do Palácio dos Terenas in Porto. This tower is recognized as cultural heritage and holds the status of a National Monument of Portugal. It is a landmark that helps define the historic character of the area for anyone passing through. I've noticed that visitors often appreciate the way it anchors the surrounding neighborhood, providing a sense of permanence amidst the city's movement. Whether you are here for the game or just exploring the streets, this monument is a sight you cannot miss while visiting this part of town.
You might expect another painting gallery, but the Museu Municipal de Numismática is a museum dedicated to the study of currency. Located in Porto, it holds a vast array of coins. The collection focuses on several eras, including Greek, Roman, and Visigothic coins. You can also find coins from Arab influences, the Christian kingdoms, and Portuguese history. I find it fascinating how much a small piece of metal can tell you about where people used to travel, and it is a great spot to see how trade shaped the world. This is a unique stop on your walk through the city.
You will first notice the Carrancas Palace, which houses the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis. This national art museum is located in the city of Porto and was founded in 1833. It is situated in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória. Every year, the museum receives 69,970 annual visitors. I find the palace architecture quite impressive when you first approach the entrance, and it is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon looking at the collections. Let me show you around this historic site.
This is not just a place to buy a book. Livraria Lello & Irmão is a bookstore, a publishing house, and cultural heritage located in the municipality of Porto. It is a National Monument of Portugal that features Art Nouveau architecture and Gothic Revival styles. The architect of the building was Francisco Xavier Esteves, and the establishment was founded in 1869. I've always found the blend of those two architectural styles makes it one of the most striking spots in the city.
The Sé do Porto is a cathedral with an inception in 1110. Since that time, the structure has been expanded and modified to feature Romanesque, Gothic, Mannerist, and baroque architecture styles. This Roman Catholic church is located in the historical centre of Porto, Portugal, and is recognized as cultural heritage. Because of its importance to the city and the country, it is a National Monument of Portugal and is also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see the layers of different eras in the stone as you walk around the perimeter.
You can find the Palácio de São João Novo in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória. This manor house in the municipality of Porto is a striking example of the baroque architecture style and was designed by architect Nicolau Nasoni. It is classified as cultural heritage and specifically as Immovable Cultural Heritage of Public Interest. I always find the ornate details of the baroque style impressive when I'm gliding past these facades on my way across the city. It is a wonderful spot to stop and admire the local history.
You can pick out the Barcos Rabelo docked along the water. These are traditional Portuguese wooden cargo boats that were used to transport people and goods along the Douro River. I always notice how they sit on the water; they are flat-bottomed and have a shallow draught. This specific design was essential for navigating the river's conditions before dams and locks were constructed from 1968 onwards. They are a classic sight in Porto, showing how the city once moved its trade.
Tucked into the city of Porto, you will find the Igreja de Santa Clara. This church is a notable landmark for anyone exploring the area, as the inception of the building was in 1457. When you are visiting, let me show you how the structure anchors the surrounding neighborhood. It is the kind of place where you can really feel the age of the city in the stone. I usually keep an eye out for the way the light hits the facade during the afternoon, which makes for a great view.
Joaquim da Costa Lima Júnior is the architect of the Palácio da Bolsa. This Neoclassicism palace is a National Monument of Portugal and a cultural heritage site. It is located in the Infante D. Henrique Square in the historical centre of Porto. Built in the 19th century by the city's Commercial Association, the building is also a former town hall. I always find the layout here quite impressive. You can pick out the distinct style and the historical importance of this site as you move through the city.
Let me show you Estação de São Bento, a 20th-century railway terminal. Designed by architect José Marques da Silva, this site is more than just a place to catch a train; it is both a cultural heritage site and an industrial heritage site. Because it is an Immovable Cultural Heritage of Public Interest, it is well worth a visit even if you aren't traveling. It operates as a dead-end railway station, which means the trains only enter and leave from one direction. I've noticed it's a great spot to watch the city move.
Located in Porto, the Centro Português de Fotografia is a photography museum and national archives. It was founded in 1997, with the first exhibitions beginning in December 1997 on the ground floor of the building until 2000. After that period, the building was temporarily closed for renovation. It reopened in 2001 to welcome visitors back to its galleries. I always find the lighting in these old spaces helps the photos pop, making it a great spot to spend a quiet afternoon exploring the city's visual records.
Let me show you Praça da Ribeira, a square located in Porto, Portugal. You can pick out its position within the historical centre of Porto, an area designated as World Heritage by UNESCO. Because of its significance, the square is recognized as an Immovable Cultural Heritage of Public Interest. It is a great spot to pause and take in the surroundings of the city. I find the open space here quite refreshing for a bird on the wing, providing a clear view of the people passing through this part of the city.
The Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar is a former convent and a National Monument of Portugal. Built in the Renaissance style, this site of cultural heritage is located in Vila Nova de Gaia. When you visit, you can pick out the unique architecture of the monastery's church, which is circular. The monastery's cloister is also circular. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. I've found that the views from this height are usually the best in the area.
Located within the city, Igreja da Misericórdia is a church building and recognized cultural heritage. The structure was designed by the architect Nicolau Nasoni and is built in the baroque architecture style. Because of its significance to the region, the building is officially designated as Immovable Cultural Heritage of Public Interest. Visitors can observe the specific details of the baroque style that Nasoni employed throughout the design of this building, which remains a key part of the city's heritage.
Look at the baroque architecture style of the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso. This church building is located near Batalha Square. Its inception was in 1739, and it is an eighteenth-century church in Porto, Portugal. The site is recognized as cultural heritage and is specifically designated as Immovable Cultural Heritage of Public Interest. Visitors can observe the distinct characteristics of the baroque style that define the building's exterior and presence within the neighborhood. It remains a significant example of the religious architecture found throughout the city's historic streets.