Largo de São Domingos from above

At the end of Rua das Flores, a beautiful street in Porto named after the Bishop of Porto’s gardens, there is the 16th century square, Largo de São Domingos. It was here that my friend and I based ourselves on our Porto expedition in 2018. It was her first visit to Porto, and my second, and we couldn’t have found a better place for ourselves in Porto’s historic centre. Not only was our apartment enormous but it was reasonably priced and perfectly located for a weekend break out of season. In the busy months this apartment and the other five in the building might suffer from noise as they directly over look the square with its numerous restaurants and occasional live music as even out of season there is live music.

 

However the bedrooms are at the back and with the balcony doors shut we hardly noticed it even in the living room. As you will see though I often had the balcony doors open though, as I couldn’t resist venturing out onto the tiny balcony most mornings and evenings!

If you are wondering why they are all squares, it is because it is that time of year for Squares. The quarterly photo blogging challenge on my other blog. You are very welcome to participate, more details here.

The next two photographs are not square however as they were taken on my phone in portrait, and you lose the perspective if I make them square. However I had to include them given what I went through to take them.

Okay I am sure I was safe but it felt like I was risking life and limb when I walked to the end of the balcony. Some of the balconies in Porto do look a bit precarious!

The square’s current name derives from the 13th century convent which was once located here. Most of the convent was destroyed in the Siege of Porto during Portugal’s Civil War in the 19th century and a corner of all that remains, its facade, can be seen in the photographs above. The siege was not the first conflict the square had seen, a riot took place here during the 17th century when the local populace took offence at the government’s plans to raise taxes to pay for the war with Spain. These buildings have had a unique perspective over the years!

Porto at Night from our Apartment

Author: BeckyB

It had been a good life walking, cooking, photographing, volunteering, blogging, and best of all spending time with MrB, family, & friends. Sadly it is no longer what it was, as suddenly and unexpectedly I became a widow.

47 thoughts

    1. Wondered if this problem had returned, thanks for letting me know. I’ll follow-up with WordPress

    1. Seems like it . . . will try and follow up with WordPress today. Most odd as some having no problems at all

        1. This blog is causing me so many problems at the moment. Not had a chance today to talk to WordPress but will follow up over weekend. Might change the theme again as wondering if that’s part of he problem 🙁

        2. all sorted. Apparently due to various plugins, so now removed 🙂 also changed the theme. Not 100% sure about one I have chosen but it will do for now!

      1. Good news all round. Thanks darlin, I’m fine. Just very frustrated! Thinking of an evening walk but it’s still seriously hot 🥰💕

  9. Oh, how lovely, I know this square, and the art materials or stationery shop! I love this little corner, and the tiled houses. There was a house for sale there a few years ago, maybe the one you stayed in. I dreamed of living in it … Oh how I miss going to Portugal. Thank you for happy memories. One day …

    1. It is such a lovely square isn’t it. The place where we stayed had six apartments in total so would make an enormous house!

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