The history of the Clérigos Tower

The Clérigos Tower is related to the Irmandade dos Clérigos Pobres (Brotherhood of Poor Clerics), a charitable organisation that provided assistance to clerics in need. The Brotherhood was founded in 1707 and functioned in the Misericórdia Church, but soon felt the need to have its own space. It was then, in 1731, that it decided to build a new church in the historic centre of Porto.

The design of the church and tower was commissioned to the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, who had already carried out several projects in Portugal. Nasoni came up with an innovative design, with an elliptical church plan and a 75 metre high bell tower with six floors. The foundation stone was laid in 1732 and the first mass was celebrated in 1748, but the work wasn't completed until 1763, when the iron cross was placed on top of the tower.

The staircase to the top, where you can admire the panoramic view of Porto, has 240 steps.

The curiosities of the Clérigos Tower

The Clérigos Tower has many curiosities that not everyone knows about. Here are some of them:

• At the time it was built, the tower served as an orientation point for vessels sailing on the Douro River;

• The tower also served as a strategic post for military and political battles. During the French invasions in 1809, it was used as an observatory by Portuguese soldiers. In 1828, during the liberal wars, it was occupied by the miguelists, who fired on the liberal troops;

• Nasoni's original project envisaged two towers rather than one. However, for financial or aesthetic reasons, it was decided to build just one tower;

• The building between the church and the tower, now known as Casa dos Clérigos, used to be an infirmary for sick or poor clerics. It now houses the Clérigos Museum, which exhibits sacred art and objects related to the history of the brotherhood;

• Nicolau Nasoni did most of his work in Portugal, and for the Clérigos Tower project he began by not receiving any remuneration for the construction;

• The Clérigos Tower was climbed (without any protective equipment) by two acrobats to promote a brand of biscuits? The two Galician artists managed to scale the tower's 75 metre height.

The secrets of the Clérigos Tower

The Clérigos Tower also holds some secrets that not everyone knows about. Here are some of them:

• The tower has a Latin inscription on its main façade which reads: "Turris nescio cui non sit amica" (I don't know who this tower is not friendly to). This phrase can be interpreted as an allusion to the tower's popularity or as an irony of its military function;

• The tower has a set of 49 bells, which form a carillon. The carillon was inaugurated in 2000 and plays different tunes throughout the day. The bells bear the names of saints, angels and personalities linked to the brotherhood;

• The tower has a legend which says that if someone climbs the steps of the tower without breathing, they will have a wish come true. However, this is an almost impossible task, given the height and steepness of the staircase.

Climbing the Clérigos Tower may not be easy for those with reduced mobility, but the organisation has opened a room that can recreate the sensation of being at the top of the building. The images emitted are in real time and can produce the sensation of the tower's height.

The reward after 240 steps is spectacular. From the top of the tower you can see Porto from 360º, the colour of the rooftops, the Douro River, Porto Cathedral, the gardens in the centre, and the coastline at Foz.

The Clérigos Tower can be visited every day from 9am to 7pm. With the following exceptions: 24/12 - 09:00h to 14:00h || 25/12 - 11:00h to 19:00h || 31/12 - 09:00h to 14:00h || 01/01 - 11:00h to 19:00h.

You can buy your priority entry to the Clérigos Tower online and even enjoy discounted tickets to Porto's cultural treasures, the Lello Bookshop and the Clérigos Tower.