Porto was a pre-Roman settlement called Calle or Portus Cale. Records show that the town was settled in 417. Over many centuries, it had many rulers, among those of the Suevi, the Goths and Moors.
As a result of large commercial activities, Porto developed rapidly and during 14th century, the old medieval wall was replaced by the new Ferdinand wall.
However, during the “Age of Discoveries”, Portugal and Porto achieved an important role in the Europe. Porto was a major trading port and during the 15th century, it was the greatest ship building ports in Portugal.
In the 17th Century, Porto had an important growth because of the wine industry. It was a period of great development and had significant artistic changes during this period reaching its peak in the 18th century.
Porto has a very long tradition of defence of human civil rights. Its population held off a long siege by the royalist forces between 1832 and 1833. The peoples sacrifice, who were fighting in support of the Constitutional Chart, made the victory of the Liberal cause possible.
Because of all of this, Porto is considered one of the most impressive cities in the north of Portugal and deserves the award of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO.