Portuguese Singage

I’ve recently been on my honeymoon journeying around Portugal and was rather encouraged to find that the larger cities were a treasure trove of design and architecture. Porto in particular impressed me. There is an old-fashioned feel to the city that manages to convey a sense of traditionalism and resigned refinement. Porto feels like a city that is still working hard. Away from the old-world graft, Ironwork and tumbledown grandeur, there is pleasant air of unhurried creativity that manifests itself in the little art galleries, boutique shops but also through the curious architecture projects that the city boasts as testament to the old Porto school.

The dictatorship that ended in the 1970s and the lack of war damage has left a curious blend of influences on the buildings in Portugal’s cities. Imposing art deco car parks sit side by side with art nouveau barber shops and elaborate Victorian cafés. Many of the streets have specialist shops that sell only one type of item such as gloves, wheels or signs and they all seem to sport magnificent examples of signage.

If you’re ever in Portugal make sure you head to Porto and take a leisurely stroll around the old commercial district. In the keen morning sunlight you can sit outside with a strong little coffee and an egg pastry and with the right pair of eyes it could be the early 1950′s.