One of Europe's most spectacular bridges lays in Porto

Not only Porto has been elected European Best Destination (in 2012, 2014, and in 2017), but it also lays claim to one of Europe's most beautiful river bridges, Luís I bridge, designed by the engineer Théophile Seyrig (a disciple of Eiffel of the Eiffel tower), which was inaugurated in 1886 and comprises 2 overlapping iron decks. 

The Luis 1 Bridge in Porto is celebrated as one of the most extraordinary overpasses around the world. In fact, to really appreciate Porto one must gravitate towards its most impressive bridges, as The Invicta features six bridges that bound together Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. The Luis 1 Bridge was inaugurated on 31 October 1886.

 "This truly is Porto's emblem. We recommend that you take a boat trip under this amazing bridge or take a walk to appreciate this grand feat of engineering. Take the lower deck to reach Vila Nova de Gaia and its cellars and the upper deck for a perfect view of the town", reads the European Best Destination website.

This impressive bridge is 395 meters long and 8 meters wide, and its arch is still considered to be the world's biggest one in forged iron. The upper deck is used by the Metro of Porto and it connects the area of Porto's Cathedral to the Garden of Morro and to the Avenida da República in the neighbouring city of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Bridges are undisputed symbols of cities and have always played an important role in the history of human settlement, defining cities and economic development. Porto and Gaia take part in this application with the Luiz I (1886) and the Maria Pia (1877) bridges.