🏰 Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral)
Portugal
About This Sacred Site
The Sé do Porto is a Romanesque cathedral dominating the skyline of Porto's historic center from its hilltop position. Built in the 12th-13th centuries, its fortress-like appearance reflects the era of the Reconquista. The cathedral is where King João I married Philippa of Lancaster in 1387, an alliance that shaped Portuguese history and launched the Age of Discovery. The Gothic cloister is decorated with beautiful 18th-century azulejo tile panels, and the silver altarpiece in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament is a masterwork of Portuguese silversmithing.
Key Facts
- •Part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Porto since 1996
- •King João I married Philippa of Lancaster here in 1387, linking Portugal and England
- •Prince Henry the Navigator was baptized in this cathedral
- •The Gothic cloister features 14th-century architecture with 18th-century azulejo tiles
- •The original Romanesque structure dates to the 12th century
Location
Coordinates: 41.1430, -8.6110
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