18201820–1834 · Porto
Porto and the Liberal Wars
A military revolt in Porto on 24 August 1820 began Portugal's liberal revolution and led to its first constitution. When Dom Miguel took the throne as an absolute king, his brother Pedro landed nearby in 1832 and held Porto through a year-long siege, cholera and hunger, until the liberals won in 1834. Pedro left his heart to the city, which has called itself 'Invicta', the unconquered, ever since.
Sites
- Site 1: Lapa ChurchWhere Pedro's heart is kept in an urn behind a wall of the chancel.Map ↗
- Site 2: Serra do Pilar MonasteryThe hilltop monastery on the Gaia bank that the liberals held throughout the siege.Map ↗
- Site 3: Praça da LiberdadeThe equestrian statue of Pedro IV in the square named for the liberal cause.Map ↗
- Site 4: Obelisk of Praia da MemóriaMarks the beach where Pedro's expedition came ashore in July 1832.Map ↗
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Also in Porto and northern Portugal
1703The Methuen Treaty and the port wine tradePorto and northern Portugal
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1128Battle of São Mamede and the birth of PortugalPorto and northern Portugal
16BCBracara Augusta, Roman and early Christian BragaPorto and northern Portugal
More from the 18th & 19th Century
Read more: reference. Summary written by History-Tours.com.