The eastern part of Porto is lively and thriving

Bonfim, in the eastern part of Porto is lively and thriving. This is not a new phenomenon, but today it has many new aspects and features.
There are artist's studios, new cafés, galleries and author's kitchen restaurants, and even Halloween is starting to be a local celebration. The community is involved in this dynamic and Bonfim still is that place where everyone knows each other's name, so to speak. 

It is worth mentioning the old (or shall we say the first of its kind?) Stop Shopping Centre, when this type of commercial places started to be trendy in town, back in the 90's. More than 100 stores were transformed into studios where musicians rehearse. Pink Floyd guitar player is said to have been there! Stop is a melting pot of stories and music genres from metal, to rock, pop, hip hop, and jazz. Some say this is the true "Casa da Música" of Porto.

Musicians say that "this is a fantastic phenomenon, a spontaneous gathering, based on work and respect". The rehearsal room walls are full of signatures and words of musicians from all over the globe.

There is also the Museu Militar do Porto, house to an amazing collection of miniature soldiers. Nearby, there is the Prado do Repouso Cemetery, the first public cemetery in Porto, where one can admire sculptures by Soares dos Reis and Zulmiro de Carvalho.

If we head to the gardens of the Quinta de Nova Sintra, the leafs now cover the floor, announcing autumn. This is the green lung of eastern Porto, viewing the river Douro.

This garden underwent renovation works and reopened last March. Now, some call it the "Jardim das Águas", because it is located next to the municipal company Águas do Porto. On week days the gardens are almost silent, as Fine Arts Faculty students fancy drawing in the garden.

The garden is well worthwhile a visit, not only to admire the acacia-of-Australia and the cryptomeria-of-Japan, but also the 15 fountains and waterworks, which were previously scattered all over town. A special highlight to the oldest fountain, the 1790 "fonte do Ribeirinho", and the Self-Portrait Fountain, the bronze sculpture by Julião Sarmento, which is part of the Porto Public Art Map.

Dwellers and workers say that "the area is changing", tourism is adding to the neighbourhood dynamics, and though there are more hostels and guest houses, "the place still hold its neighbourliness and traditional trade".

The artistic movida is ingraining Bonfim. Galleries are inaugurated and others have moved from Bombarda to Bonfim. The "Galeria de Arquitectura" is such an exemple, and till January visitors can admire the artwork of the Italian Davide Trabucco on Portuguese architecture in the shop window.