They say that Porto is one of the best cities in the world for walking, but maybe you’ve never tried climbing the iconic Escadas do Codeçal, have you?
With over 400 steps, this famous staircase connects Porto’s monumental Cathedral to the Ribeira area , representing a real challenge for those who dare to climb it, but a real treat for the view.
However, if you don’t like doing much exercise, you can always choose to walk down these stairs, on a journey through Invicta’s (modern) past. As well as soaking up the picturesque side, you’ll also find a display of urban art that has been beautifying the city in recent years.
Origin & curiosities of the Codeçal Stairs
There is no official documentation on the origin of its name. However, it is thought that the word “cadouço” gave it its name, meaning “hiding place” or “lair”. However, there are also those who believe it derives from “codessal”, a place where codessos (leguminous shrubs found in Portugal) grow.
Toponyms aside, the history of these stairs dates back to medieval times, when Porto was surrounded by the Fernandina Wall. So these are ancestral staircases, where a lot has passed through since the beginnings of our city.
Around the 18th century, this was where the so-called Recolhimento de Ferro was housed, a building whose façades we can still see when we descend these stairs. In Baroque style, this religious building was known for housing prostitutes and abandoned women. The building was eventually abandoned due to the French Invasions and the Liberal Struggles, and for a long time it was left completely derelict.
Like the building, which has since been restored and is now owned by the Sé Parish Council, the Codeçal Stairs were also destroyed due to the construction of the Ribeira tunnel and, before that, work on the lower deck of the Luiz I Bridge. Even so, they have been restored today, having been a project under the “Porto 2001 – European Capital of Culture” program.