Category: Heritage Cities through Analog Lenses

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porto – modern architecture

on my last day in porto, i had something special planned: modern architecture. during my studies, portuguese modern architecture is always a key topic—this was my chance to finally experience it up close. on the itinerary: the faculty of architecture by álvaro siza and the casa da música by rem koolhaas. both buildings left a lasting impression on me.

casa da música

casa da musica I

 

the casa da música in porto is a true magnet for anyone who loves modern architecture and culture. even from the outside, the building impresses with its unique form, standing like a giant, geometric monolith in the heart of porto—a creation of dutch star architect rem koolhaas.

 

casa da musica II

 

since 2005, this masterpiece has caught the eye, bringing an avant-garde flair to the historic city. the interior of the casa da música is as fascinating as its facade. visitors find spacious, light-filled rooms and bold architectural details that create an almost magical atmosphere. the main concert hall, the “sala suggia,” is renowned for its outstanding acoustics, letting music seem to float through the air—a memorable experience. from classical to jazz to experimental music, the casa da música offers a wide range of concerts, making it a lively destination for music lovers of all kinds.

 

casa da musica III

 

faculdade de arquitetura

the faculty of architecture in porto, or the “faculdade de arquitetura da universidade do porto,” is a gem of modern portuguese architecture that attracts enthusiasts from around the world. designed by álvaro siza, one of portugal’s most renowned architects and a pritzker prize winner, the building is considered a postwar architectural masterpiece. its design is a tribute to clean lines and the play of light and shadow, exemplifying how architecture can blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. the faculty sits along the douro river, offering breathtaking views from almost every corner of the building—a constant inspiration for those who study or teach here.

 

faculdade de arquitetura I

 

the buildings are crafted in white concrete, which takes on a nearly magical quality in the portuguese sunlight, intensifying the interplay with the shadows cast by each structure. siza didn’t just create a campus here; he crafted a dynamic environment that encourages experimentation and reflection, which makes this place so special. the teaching approach is also highly regarded, as architecture is taught here not merely as a technical discipline, but as an art form that positively impacts people’s lives. for architecture fans, visiting the faculty is an absolute must. even simply wandering through the serene, geometrically arranged courtyards or gazing out the large windows onto the river gives one the feeling of being in a place that invites creativity and awe.

 

faculdade de arquitetura II

 

another element

that made porto so special for me: the street musicians.

music I

 

at any time of day or night, you could find street musicians on nearly every corner, adding a musical layer to the beautiful memories i have of porto. their melodies drifted through the streets, giving the city an extra touch of warmth and life, making each moment feel like part of a personal soundtrack that i’ll carry with me.

 

music II

 

to be continued…

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porto – port wine and narrow houses

all images shown here were taken analog with my canon ae I

porto, the second-largest city in portugal, is located on the northwest coast of the country and is known for its historic old town as well as its significance in port wine production. the old town, ribeira, was declared a unesco world heritage site in 1996 and is characterized by narrow streets, colorful and narrow houses, and important architectural landmarks. the city has played a central role in the history of port wine, which has been produced here since the 17th century. the wine cellars are mainly located in vila nova de gaia, a suburb of porto on the other side of the douro river.

the narrow houses

the narrow houses I

 

the narrow houses in porto have their origins in historical and economic factors that date back centuries. a key reason for their design was the property tax, which in the middle ages and early modern period was often levied based on the width of the building’s facade. to minimize these taxes, many homeowners opted to build narrow houses that took up little space on the street but often extended deep into the lot. this allowed them to reduce their tax burden without sacrificing living space.

 

the narrow houses II
the narrow houses III

 

in addition, the city’s topography played an important role. porto is built on hills and along the steep banks of the douro river, which further limited the available building space. the narrow, winding streets and alleys of the old town forced residents to build their homes vertically to make the most of the limited space.

 

the narrow houses IV

 

moreover, this architectural style maximized street access, which was crucial for urban commerce. many of these narrow houses had shops or workshops on the ground floor, while the upper floors were used as living quarters. this functional layout promoted urban life and brought work and living spaces closer together.

overall, the architecture of porto’s narrow houses is a combination of tax policies, geographical constraints, and economic factors that evolved over centuries and continues to define the city’s distinctive urban landscape.

 

the narrow houses V

 

port wine

port wine, a globally renowned and appreciated fortified wine, is closely tied to the city of porto and the surrounding region. the name “port wine” derives directly from porto, although the grapes used to make it are primarily grown in the douro valley, one of the world’s oldest wine regions. the unique location of the douro valley, with its steep slopes and specific microclimate, provides ideal conditions for viticulture. after the harvest, the grapes are processed into wine in the valley and then transported to porto or to vila nova de gaia, located across the douro river from porto.

 

port wine view

 

since the 17th century, the city of porto has played a key role in the export of port wine, especially to britain, which contributed significantly to the international spread of this wine. a crucial step in port wine production is the addition of brandy to stop the fermentation process early. this results in a higher sugar content, giving the wine its characteristic sweetness and higher alcohol content.

historically, port wine merchants stored their barrels in the cooler cellars of vila nova de gaia, where the wine could age. even today, many of the most famous port wine cellars are located there, offering guided tours and tastings.

 

port wine all the way

 

to be continued…

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arrival in porto – the orange sun

all images shown here were taken analog with my canon ae I

here, i am starting the travel blog for my owhc journey. over the coming weeks, you’ll find regular entries here about the different stops along the way.

my journey began on 17/09/2024 in porto. on the way there, everything seemed just fine: bright sunshine and a beautiful view.

on my way to porto

 

when my sister, who was flying to lisbon at the same time, messaged me on whatsapp to ask if there were any fires nearby, i replied with, “i only see blue skies here :)”. little did i know what the next two days had in store for me. the closer i got to porto, the more dark clouds i could see gathering on the horizon.

 

dark horizon

 

soon, i was surrounded by thick smoke that didn’t clear by the time i arrived. the whole city was bathed in a diffuse, mystical orange light. it felt like sunset at every time of day. the smell of burnt wood lingered over porto, and ashes fell from the sky. google maps showed that the fires had reached the outskirts of the city. some areas had to be evacuated, and temporary road closures were in place. travelers were advised to check the current situation before arriving to prepare for any restrictions. authorities and emergency responders worked tirelessly to control the fires, and tourists were urged to exercise caution in forested areas and to follow official instructions.

 

smoke everywhere

 

on the first day, i let the city life carry me along – without any particular destination in mind. in the city, it was hard to tell that, just five kilometers away, others were fighting for their lives and livelihoods.

nice to see how the orange sun sneaked into every photo.

 

the orange sun I

 

the orange sun II

 

the orange sun III

 

to be continued…

 

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Heritage Cities through Analog Lenses

Follow Lukas Unterreitmeier as he travels  through Central and Northern Europe and the East Coast of the US.  Fascinated by the mixture of modern architecture and historical buildings that World Heritage Cities offer, Lukas will document his travels through his signature style of capturing moments – analog photography.