With a centuries-old history, the city of Porto is full of stories and curiosities, some of which have ‘survived’ the passage of time. In fact, there are several legends and urban myths related to Invicta.
In this context, we decided to go in search of some beliefs or cases that have been uncovered through restoration work or simple adventures in the city. Let’s get to know some of these legends and myths, shall we?
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The ghost of São Bento
São Bento Station is a symbol and icon of the city of Porto, a must-visit for anyone. However, this space wasn’t always occupied by railways. In fact, it used to be a convent: the Convento de São Bento da Avé Maria (which also explains the station’s name).
It is said that around 1834 a decree was issued ordering the extinction of all religious orders, so the Convent of São Bento da Avé Maria was no exception. However, the decree stated that religious orders that only housed women, as was the case here, would only be extinguished when the last resident nun died.
It was only in 1892 (more than 50 years after the extinction order) that plans began to be made for the construction of a railway station on the site, when the last nun died and remained there throughout that time.
The myth of the ghost of São Bento has to do precisely with this sister, who was “stubborn” and an irrefutable believer. It is said that she can still be heard praying in the corridors of the station some nights, which is why she was nicknamed the “Ghost of St. Benedict”.
Port wine
It is said that around 1679 a ship left Porto for London with barrels of Port wine on board. The ship was attacked by a French consortium and, in order to save themselves, they fled to the high seas, having strayed from their planned route.
They ended up stopping to refuel in São João da Terra Nova, but were unable to resume their journey due to the harsh winter weather. It is said that they didn’t embark again until the following spring, and then arrived at their destination without any problems.
The surprise came when they realized that all that time in São João da Terra Nova had made the wine acquire a different aroma and taste, but in a pleasant way. They say that since then they have not stopped ordering Port wine, which has been aged in Terra Nova before reaching its final destination.
The Guts
Much has been said about the origin of the nickname “Tripeiros” and, according to legend, it is related to the sacrifice of the people of Porto in support of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1415. It is said that when the Infante was preparing the ships to leave for Ceuta in Porto, the city’s population got together and offered food, keeping the remains: “the tripeas”.
However, this is just one theory about the origin of this Porto dish. Another legend dates back to the time of the Suevi, who began to expand after the fall of the Roman Empire. It is said that, in their expansion, they made Porto one of their main cities. What’s more, tripe was part of their diet and became part of the local cuisine wherever they went.
There are also other legends and myths that center on the origin of this Porto delicacy. However, the story of sacrifice, loyalty and support for Prince Henry the Navigator is unlikely to lose out to any of the others. All the more so since it is not possible to confirm the veracity of these legends. In this story lies part of the resilience of the people of Porto, so we won’t keep this legend alive and well!
Frade Island
The last of the myths and legends about Porto that we bring you takes us to where Largo de António Calém is today. In this same place, there was once a small island in the Douro estuary that became known as the “Friar’s Island”. But what is its history?
According to legend, there was a monastery, on the Gaia side, of Franciscan friars. As was common at the time, the milkmaid would take the milk to the monastery and every day, the porter, who was in charge of receiving it, would fall in love with it a little more. One day, the porter plucked up courage and confessed his love for her to the milkmaid, adding that he was not a friar and could leave the monastery whenever he wanted.
It is said that the milkmaid, who had a boyfriend, told him what was going on, and that her boyfriend set the “friar” up. So, over the next few days, the milkmaid, instructed by her boyfriend,agreed to meet the young porter and told him that a boat would pick him up and take him to meet her. Excited, the young man got on the boat, ready to meet his love.
He got off the boat and waited. However, the fog was thick and night had fallen, and he had no idea where he was or what he could do. He eventually fell asleep and woke up the next day. It was then that he realized what had happened. He woke up alone, on an island, with a couple of lovers laughing on the other side of the shore. Since then, this piece of land has been known as “Ilha do Frade” (Friar’s Island).
But the importance of this legend goes further than that. Perhaps not as curious as the others, this legend is almost like a trace that indicates the existence of a monastery in that area. There is no physical evidence of its existence, but this legend is a sign that it may indeed be true and that there was a monastery of Franciscan friars there.