Month: August 2024

Vila Nova de Gaia & Ribeira from Ponte Luís I

On the left (south) bank of the Duoro River, we have Vila Nova de Gaia and on the right, the Ribeira district of Porto City. Ribeira just means “riverside”, and is part of Porto City proper, while Vila Nova de Gaia (which translates into “New Town of Gaia” and Gaia itself has Celtic origins) is part of another administrative region. Once upon a time, the Duoro River formed the boundary between Muslim-conquered territory and Christian-defended territory, hence the distinction was inherited to modern times. Today, Gaia is famed for cellar where port wine is aged (and marketed) and is heavily touristed.