One of the oldest attractions of the northern capital, the central Freedom Square (Praça da Liberdade), is the most beautiful in Porto and all of Portugal. It is located in the southern part of the city, surrounded by 19th-century buildings. But 300 years ago, it was surrounded only by flowering orange trees with juicy fragrant fruits and the gardens beyond them. Citizens had enjoyed this fabulous view for a long time until rapid urbanization began and the city buildings replaced these wonderful gardens. The square was the place of the proclamation of the independence and the Portuguese Republic, the site of uprisings, parades, and folk fairs. It did not take long for the square to become the main symbol of the city and a place for meetings and dates.

The center of the square is occupied by the equestrian statue of King Peter IV of Portugal (Pedro IV) holding the charter of the Constitution adoption in hand. Created by the talented French sculptor Celestine Anatole Calmels, this famous bronze statue was installed on the legendary square in 1866. The side of the pedestal is covered with commemorative plaques placed in honor of the landing of the Liberal troops on the coast and the monarch's heart given to the city. According to local legend, King Peter IV bequeathed his heart to Porto, though it had always belonged to the monarch's favorite city. The heart was considered a symbol of gratitude for the local heroism, for helping to promote liberal ideas in Portugal, and for protecting the daughter of Peter IV, Queen Maria II.

Each building of the square is worth the title of an architectural masterpiece: from the ancient monastery, which houses the famous InterContinental Hotel, to the luxurious building of the Bank of Portugal richly decorated with stucco. In front of the bank, there is a granite sculpture called "Porto" by the famous Portuguese mineralogist Joao da Silva Feijo.

Don't forget to grab a strong black coffee at one of the trendiest cafes in the city, Imperial.