As you walk, listen for the scrape of shoes on old stone, the murmur from cafés, the church bells folding into street noise, and the faint scent of coffee drifting through narrow lanes. Along the way, we shall meet places shaped by devotion, wealth, ambition, and a few delicious uncertainties, including the long shadow of Nicolau Nasoni, whose handiwork is easy to spot in the city’s many layers.
Your audio should begin automatically as you reach each stop, though you can always press play yourself. If Porto’s twisting streets lead you astray, the map in the app will set you right, and you can ask me questions in the chat at any stop. Do mind the steep cobbles, keep an eye out for traffic and trams, and take sensible care of your belongings in busy areas.
Now then, let us begin with a palace that was never only a palace
