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Sao Bento Railway Station, located in the center, is not only an important transport hub of the city, but also a memorable historical and architectural object. It was officially opened to passengers in 1916, on the site of an abandoned monastery, becoming one of the most beautiful railway stations in Europe, retaining this unofficial status to this day. Interestingly, the first train stopped at its platform in November 1896, when the station consisted of only 3 wooden hangars used as storage facilities. However, after 20 years, a new three-story building appeared in Porto instead of them, capable of competing with a similar building in the capital Lisbon.
The main advantage of the Sao Bento railway station is its hall, the walls are lined with the famous Portuguese azulejos tiles, which depict fragments from the history of Portugal, including magnificent paintings telling about the legendary battle of Valdevez, about the arrival of King João I with his wife Philippa of Lancaster in Porto in 1387, about the accomplishments of Henry the Navigator and the exploits of the national hero - the knight Egas Moniz. The author of these magnificent works of art was the Portuguese artist Jorge Kulas. Looking at the master's paintings, it is hard to believe that they are not in the halls of the National Museum of Portugal, but at the central city station. The building has long received great attention from foreign tourists who come here invariably arrange a colorful photo shoot.
São Bento Station primarily serves local and suburban destinations, with trains leaving for settlements, the road to which does not exceed 60 km. They go to Lisbon from another station. All routes are served by modern electric trains of the UME-3400 series, distinguished by a decent level of comfort and high functionality. For the convenience of passengers, almost every section of the station is equipped with clocks and electronic displays, displaying the current schedule. Also, on the station territory there are cafes, restaurants and toilets. To ensure that the platforms were sufficiently light and at the same time cozy even on rainy days, glass roofs were built over them.
Sao Bento Railway Station is deservedly one of the most striking sights, representing a real work of art. In a certain sense, it is a free museum in which you can appreciate the richest cultural heritage. Rising in the central part of the city, the station harmoniously fits into the historical image of Porto and is able to decorate the home photo gallery of any traveler.
The main station of the city of Porto is located in the city center, on Almeida Garret Square, and is one of the two main stations in the city for both residents who want to get to Porto from the north of Portugal, and for tourists who want to explore the surroundings of Porto.
Initially, the site of the station was a Benedictine monastery of San Bento de Ave Maria. In 1783, a fire broke out in the monastery, later work was carried out to restore the building, but by the end of the 19th century, the monastery finally fell into disrepair. Due to the development of the network railways in Portugal, on the site of an abandoned monastery in 1900, King Carlos I laid the first stone of the railway station. The project for the construction of the station was entrusted to the architect José Marcus de Silva, who built the building in the style of French neoclassical architecture.
Decorating the Sao Bento station with the famous azulejo tiles made Portugal famous all over the world. The building was decorated by the artist Georges Colas. Inside the station, the walls are decorated with paintings by this artist, more than 20,000 azulejo tiles in blue and white, illustrating episodes from the history of railways and vehicles in the upper part of the walls, battle scenes in the middle, and paintings of peasant life, as well as historical scenes from the life of Portugal, such as the arrival of the monarch João I and Philippa of Lancaster in the city of Porto.
The station was opened in 1896, fully completed in 1916 and is still in operation.
Where once were the walls of the monastery of St. Benedict, now ultra-modern electric trains run, serving the suburbs of Greater Porto. What happened to the monastery? It burned down in 1783, and despite the fact that it was soon restored, by the end of the 19th century it was completely abandoned. And the growing city needed a station, and not a simple one, but one to outrun these upstarts of Lisbon!
01. The first train arrived at Sao Bento Station on November 7, 1896. At that time, the station consisted of three wooden hangars, serving both passengers and owners of numerous cargoes, as a storage facility. I must say that it was certainly far from Lisbon, who by this time had not one, but two whole stations, one of which Santa Apollonia had been serving passengers for more than 30 years. And how is it between two major cities countries, be it Moscow and St. Petersburg, or Lisbon and Porto, competition drove progress. Four years later, the first stone was laid in the foundation of a new stone palace building, Sao Bento Station. Sixteen years later, the magnificent building appeared in all its beauty.
02. There is something to see! 551 square meters of the famous Portuguese tiles (azulejos) not only decorate the building, but also tell about significant events in the country's history. 
04. If you look closely, you can see scenes from the everyday life of the Portuguese peasants, 
06. not devoid of drama... 
07. Majestic scenes of loyalty to one's word, the famous fighter for the independence of Portugal, knight Egas Moniz. 
08. All this beauty belongs to the pen of the famous Portuguese artist Jorge Kulas. 
11. And here is Henry the Navigator himself, who led the battle of Ceuta (August 14, 1415) in Morocco. This event is associated with the beginning of the era of European expansion on the world stage. 
12. I look, take pictures and read a brief history pictured pictures in your phone. Comfortable. 
13. However, back to the present. 
14. Sao Bento Station serves mainly local, suburban destinations: Braga, Aveiro, Douro and other cities located mainly around Porto at a distance not exceeding 60 km. Trains run to Lisbon from another Porto station, Campanhã. But that's a completely different story. 
15. The destinations are served by modern electric trains of the UME-3400 series, built at the enterprises of the Siemens TS / Bombardier alliance, especially for the state-owned railway company Comboios de Portugal (CP). 
16. It was not an easy decision to build a railway station in the very center of the city, which is under 1000 years old. 
17. In 1968, the station with adjacent buildings and tracks was seriously reconstructed. There were new premises for passengers, a restaurant, all the tracks were electrified.
22. When you are in Porto, take a look, an interesting place. 
23. However, time is running out, how much more interesting and informative this amazing city of Porto is fraught with! 
Aren't you tired of Porto yet?) I would like to tell you more about the most beautiful area of the city - the Dora river embankment, and about the most comfortable metro on the planet.
Two weeks ago I was in Rome, yesterday I returned from Budapest. Ahead of a lot of interesting things!
The Parliament of Portugal meets in São Bento Palace, originally built as a monastery for Benedictine monks. Behind the monumental neoclassical façade are magnificent rooms decorated with sculptures and paintings. In 1598 the Benedictines began building a new monastery to house their rapidly growing community. São Bento da Saude was designed as a large rectangular structure centered around four monasteries. In 1834, when religious orders were abolished, the government confiscated the property and placed the Parliament of Portugal here.
The building quickly adapted to its new function, but after a fire in 1895 it suffered significant damage. It was decided to carry out a major restoration and restore the building. The neoclassical design of the Ventura Terra was chosen, and in the following decades the original cloister was completely converted into a parliamentary building. Today, little remains of the classical 16th-century monastery, but one of the original four monasteries survives. However, it is one of the most prominent sights in Lisbon.
Exterior of Sao Bento Palace
The most impressive aspect of São Bento Palace is its monumental neoclassical façade. The large central portico has five porches surmounted by a balcony with thirteen Corinthian columns that support a thirty-meter-wide gable. The reliefs on the tympanum were created by the Portuguese sculptor Simoas de Almeida. The central allegorical figure represents the homeland and is surrounded by eighteen different statues symbolizing the different foundations of society.
Two lions sculpted by Raul Xavier guard the wide staircase leading to the main entrance of the palace. In front of the entrance are four marble statues representing Foresight, Justice, Strength and Patience.
Interior of the Sao Bento Palace
Passing through the portico, you enter the main atrium, formerly located in the chapel. It is decorated with busts depicting prominent Portuguese parliamentarians. Passages on the left side lead to the main staircase of the palace, built between 1936 and 1937.
The largest and most luxurious halls in Sao Bento Palace are located on both sides of the atrium. These are the Senate and Parliamentary chambers. The Senate Chamber was built in 1867 by French architect Jean-Francois Colson. The semi-circular hall with a glass and iron skylight has two balconies supported by colossal columns. The Parliament Chamber opened in 1903 after the original hall was destroyed by fire in 1895. The semi-circular hall is decorated with large sculptures and a huge lute painted by Veloso Salgado.
Sao Bento Gardens
Behind the palace is the French-style garden of São Bento Palace, with geometrically arranged flower beds laid out on a terraced slope. The garden is decorated with fountains, niches and statues of sphinxes.
The Palace of the National Assembly, also called the Palace of the Cortes, is located in the center and is the seat of Parliament. Despite the current political status, the palace is open to tourist groups accompanied by guides. To visit it, you must pre-register on the official website.
The palace was built in the 17th century. for the wealthy Benedictine order. The architect Afonso Alvaris chose the Mannerist style characteristic of that time: he replaced the Renaissance and was popular in Europe until the appearance in the 18th century. baroque and rococo.
A strong earthquake, from which Portugal suffered in 1755, completely destroyed the building; during the reconstruction, classical details were added to it in the exterior decoration and in the interiors. The famous portico with columns and a wide staircase leading to the entrance to the palace appeared. In 1834, the possessions of the Benedictine monks, as a result of secularization, were transferred to the state, since then Sao Bento has been a government institution.
Halls of Sao Bento Palace
During the tour, tourists can see the most popular rooms of the palace:
Surroundings of Sao Bento Palace
Around the building is also enough interesting places worth noting:
- the inner garden, which has been preserved since the time of the monks - they grew medicinal herbs there, with which they treated the sick;
- a classic mansion located in a Benedictine garden: the first head of government moved here in 1877, since then the building has been the permanent residence of all prime ministers of Portugal.
- the square in front of the São Bento Palace, where the demonstrations that preceded the Carnation Revolution of 1974 took place. Since then, it has been considered a traditional venue for any political action.
How to get to Sao Bento Palace?
The Palace of the Cortes is located in the center, next to it there is a stop, which is considered the main city. best route to the palace is to take the famous tram to the Rua de Sao Bento stop, and walk from it for 1 min. on foot. In addition to tram 28, buses No. 706,727, 773 stop near the palace, the stop is called Palácio de São Bento.
