Bridge, Rabelo and cellars Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hi Dear TE friends,

Enjoy this picture of 'Vila Nova de Gaia' city, taken from Porto side !

You can see the Monastery of the Pilar Hill, the typical boat from Porto, the ‘Rabelo’. In Background, we see one of many Cellars of the Porto Wine. (Calem cellar)

Part of the area classified by UNESCO as World Heritage in December 1996, the Monastery of Serra do Pilar is the architectural landmark of Gaia. ...

The bustling suburb of Vila Nova da Gaia lies opposite Oporto on the steep south bank of the mighty River Douro.
Sitting on top of a pre-Roman fortified hamlet, it was given town status in 1255 by King Afonso III and then bequeathed to the aristocracy in order to counteract the power of the bishops of neighbouring Oporto, who were charging unreasonably high shipping tolls at the time.
Gaia today is dominated by the Port wine lodges, with over fifty wine companies based in its narrow, twisting streets. Here, the ageing and blending of most of the world's supply of Port wine takes place beneath a sea of red roofs emblazoned with some of the most famous names in winemaking.
What to see. The 16th-century monastery church of Serra do Pilar features unusual circular cloisters and panoramic views of Oporto and the River Douro. From the church's terrace, the future Duke of Wellington planned his surprise attack on the French in 1809.

A tour of the cellars is a must for any visitor to Vila Nova da Gaia, followed by a wine-tasting. One of the best-organised lodges is Sandeman, founded in 1790 and housed in a former 16th-century convent with a small museum. Taylor's, one of the last privately-owned English wine companies, offers a lively, informative tour of the premises and impressive views from its spacious outdoor terrace.

These are the ‘Rabelo’ Boats. In the past they were used to transport the Porto Win, now they are used to transport people in trips along the Douro River.

As you cross the bridge Luís I to Vila Nova de Gaia, you may admire the ‘Rabelo’ boats on the riverbank. They are the symbol of the famous Port Wine and the trademark of the Port Wine Cellars.

The ‘Rabelo’ boat, which was invented in the 9th century, was used for transporting the products from the farms of the Douro for centuries. In 1792, the ‘Companhia Geral da Agricultura e Vinha do Alto Douro’ published numerous charters and documents concerning this type of boat, therefore establishing the identity of the ‘Rabelo’.
The purpose of its peculiar shape was to overcome the natural obstacles of the Douro river and to make the boatman’s task easier.

The large amount of Port Wine produced in the farms required frequent transportation downriver. The journey lasted more than a week and the conditions were precarious, often leading to dangerous accidents.
Following the construction of the railway and the improvement of the public highway, the ‘Rabelo’ boat gradually lost its importance. Finally, the dams along the Douro river brought its activity to a standstill.

ribeiroantonio, bakes888, Budapestman, dip, Amaz, trekks, jhm, emilbo, Gerrit, ciakgiak, ChrisJ, Docarmo, jjcordier, ymrk, Graal, danos, siolaw, fanni has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ribeiroantonio (21753) 2009-06-05 1:02

O que eu gosto mesmo em Gaia são as adegas e a da Sandeman não escapou. Foi a última que visitei aqui há uns anos atrás.
É uma bonita foto com o pormenor da bandeira bem desfraldada.
António

bakes888 (18055) 2009-06-05 1:10

Hi Aires. Wonderful colourful photo. Nicely balanced composition with good sharpness and detail. I love he sky you have to cap the scene. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

Budapestman (41086) 2009-06-05 1:16

Hi Aires,
Beautiful panorama. We may discover many picturesque and spectacular details on the photo. The optic angle great, the lights were brilliant to taking a photo. Great atmosphere. Have a nice day!
George

mkamionka (4226) 2009-06-05 1:18

Hi Aires,
I may have made a mistake planning just one day in Porto, I see so many fantastic pictures from this town on TE.
I like this one not only because it is pretty and colorful but also because it show the other side of the river whereas most of the people focus rather on the opposite side.
Very charming place and beautifully presented,
TFS
M

dip (12412) 2009-06-05 1:29

Hi Aires,
a beautiful photo,I like the details,especially the boat in the foreground,
well captured and composed,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Amaz (6460) 2009-06-05 1:55

Olá Aires,
preciosa issa captura com bonitas cores!!
Prefeita composição e bom enquadramento!!!
Certamente um local extraordinário - o centro mundial para os amantes de O Porto - grandes vinhos!!!

Meus parabéns,

Abraço!

gildasjan (23393) 2009-06-05 1:55

Bonjour Aires
Bon cadrage de l'embarcation et les toits oranges de l'architectures sont bien mis en valeur par ce bleu ciel et ses nuages.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

trekks (14262) 2009-06-05 2:17

hi Aires

I am greedy person, I very much like to see that bridge in full :) I am particularly interested in how the bridge approach connects to the slope of houses here, very good view just standing on that bridge.

But I like this POV too. The boat is so colorful and makes a great subject. Very well composed view.

Good work.

tfs, bill

jhm (81817) 2009-06-05 3:12

Hello Aires,

You show here a very nice panorama view, 'Vila Nova de Gaia' also the small part of the iron bridge.
We may discover many picturesque and spectacular details on the photo, the boat lead us to back.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

John_F_Kennedy (30723) 2009-06-05 4:15

Fine view of this beautiful steel bridge. I like the amazing environment and the nice details of the city.
Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

emilbo (9161) 2009-06-05 6:17

Olà Aires!
Une magnifique carte postale avec cette belle vue sur la ville et le petit bateau de croisière, j'aimerais être du voyage. Excellente composition et bonne qualité d'image. Le pont qui nous amène au Monastère est superbe pour la partie qu'on peut voir. Beau travail, belle harmonie de couleurs.
Félicitations!... et bonne journée et intéressante note historique.
Amicalement,
Emilius

Gerrit (35499) 2009-06-05 7:41

Hey Aires,
fime view over POrto and a glans of the Eiffel bridge.
Great colours.
Regards, gerrit

TopGeo (21449) 2009-06-05 9:23

Hi Aires,
a beautiful bridge-city photo,I like the details, and composition especially the boat in the foreground,Thanks for sharing.Great atmosphere with excellent view
Have a good weekend,
Regards!
Georgios

argycon (2749) 2009-06-05 9:23

Hi Aires,
Excellent composition with the Rabelo boat very well framed! Fine sharpness and detail! Superb colors!
tfs
Have a nice weekend
Kostas

mesutilgim (36337) 2009-06-05 10:54

Hi Aires,
Wonderfull capture with vivid colors and perfect layout.
Many nice and usefull notes as well.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

ciakgiak (10172) 2009-06-05 11:05

Ciao Aires,
ed anche questa è un'immagine molto interessante, perchè in essa si concentrano alcune peculiarità di Porto, come il "Rabelo" ed il monastero.
La scena è perfettamente composta, ogni elemento ha la sua precisa collocazione, e questo rende la tua foto molto bella e gradevole da ammirare.
Un carissimo abbraccio ed un buon WE.
Giorgio

npecanhuk (13161) 2009-06-05 11:22

Olá Aires!
Outra clássica e muito bonita!
Destaque para a lancha que passa rápido contrastando com os eternos ícones locais!
Parabéns, abraços e até logo!
Neyvan

xuaxo (5649) 2009-06-05 12:04

Olá Aires,
Esta vista é um clássico e aproveitaste um excelente dia e momento. As cores estão vivas, luminosas, o rabelo está numa boa posição e o barco rápido é um curioso detalhe.
Cumprimentos,
Francisco

lousat (15034) 2009-06-05 12:37

Hi Aires,there are a lot of things in this pic..a very great festival of colors,i like a lot your point of view,the light is the best as possible....and there are beautifuls clouds too as background..a very perfect view,my best compliments,have a nice weekend,LUCIANO

emka (21143) 2009-06-05 15:34

Hi Aires, Amnother panorama of Porto, this time from the other side of the high bridge. We can the tram on the bridge. Nice view of the rabelo boat. Pleasant colours. Regards

Malgorzata

ChrisJ (69618) 2009-06-05 16:52

Hi Aires

A superb daily life scene, with good colour, sharpness & pov. The boat makes a good focal point. Have a great weekend!

Docarmo (8814) 2009-06-05 21:22

Olá Aires,
Uma foto de um colorido muito alegre e com movimento. Nitidez fantástica!
Parabéns!
Docarmo

jjcordier (24186) 2009-06-05 23:07

Aires
Très jolie photo avec ce superbe bateau en premier plan qui vient compléter de magnifique façon ta composition.
Amicalement
JJ

ymrk (8383) 2009-06-06 9:01

The vivid colors,splendid site of gondola with be affected clouds..Congratulations Aires,have a nice WE,

Yağmur

wautersw (3603) 2009-06-06 10:59

Hi Aires,

vivid colours for this nice composition (on of these days I'll post a nightview from a bit closer to the bridge). Lovely view with a very nice sky. TFS

Wolf

danyy (68088) 2009-06-06 14:16

Bonjour Aires,

On reconnait de suite la ville de Porto avec la partie de pont. Une photo dans l'ensemble bien exposée avec peut etre un rien de surexposition au niveau du ciel. Beaucoup de fraicheur apportée par le fleuve.
Excellent w-e, daniel

Graal (57312) 2009-06-06 23:28

Hi Aires,
nice a few themes in one image. Good composition. An interesting glance on the city from Porto side. Well done photo and interest note. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

bostankorkulugu (33372) 2009-06-07 0:37

i dont remember seeing this side of the bridge before... beautiful shot with the boat on the foreground balancing the compo...

Silvio1953 (40933) 2009-06-07 6:19

Ciao Aires, beautiful composition with lovely boat in FG, splendid light and colors, very well done, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

danos (31796) 2009-06-07 12:30

Ola Aires,
nice this panoramic shot of Vila Nova de Gaia,with the passing by boat to be the main attraction of the scene.The bridge on the left creates depth in the scene that is completed with the graphical city on the background.Well done.

Have a nice week,Danos

barrufeto_77 (25619) 2009-06-07 16:26

Hola Aires.

Tremendos colores por supuesto! Me encantan. Adema´s, el contraste con el cielo te ha quedado genial.

Un saludo!

siolaw (25702) 2009-06-07 23:40

Hi Aires
A well composed image with funny boat doing a good FG, and nice view of town in the back. I like the sweet colors here!
Greetings
Laurent

jmdias (18819) 2009-06-08 17:17

aires

muito boniota e colorida esta vista, gosto imenso da posição do barco e do cenário urbano ao fundo. a estrutura perto do pilar com aquelas árvores daria um ótimo detalhe com um zoom potente. linda vista, linda paisagem com boa luz e nitidez, parabéns

abraços

jorge

fanni (8717) 2009-06-15 3:14

Hi Aires,
very beautiful view, with this boat in the FG and very picturesque houses in the BG! very well balanced composition and a good timing :)
I like the natural colours, as well!
Best regards,
Elena