Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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SãoBentoTrainStation(EstaçãoSãoBento)
—The main entry hall of this otherwise
dull station features some of Portugal's finest
azulejos.
These vivid, decorative hand-
painted tiles show historical and folk scenes from the Douro region. Upper tiles on the
left (when facing the tracks) show local forces preparing to reconquer the north of Por-
tugal and add it to the kingdom. Tiles on the opposite wall (far right when looking at
the tracks) show the 1387 wedding of Portugal's King John I and the English princess
Philippa, which established the Portuguese-English alliance. (Notice the fine portrait of
Philippa and the depiction of the cathedral as it looked in the 14th century.) Below is the
immediate result of the marriage—their son, Prince Henry the Navigator, shown conquer-
ing Ceuta for Portugal in 1415. While humble Ceuta was just a small chip of Morocco
(across from Gibraltar), it marked an important first step in the creation of a soon-to-be
vast Portuguese empire. The trackside tiles celebrate the traditional economy, such as the
transport of port wine. The multicolored tiles near the top show different modes of trans-
portation, including Roman chariots (left above
Saída
exit sign), and progressing to the
arrival of the first train (left corner above Philippa). Notice the words
Douro
and
Minho
near the ceiling. These are the major rivers in this part of Portugal, and the key regions
linked by these trains. Porto's favorite meeting point is right here, “under the clock.”
