Boavista roundabout and Music House - En
31 de janeiro de 2022
Right in the center of the Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque garden, in the western part of Porto, also known as the Boavista roundabout, and surrounded by leafy trees, stands a remarkable monument by the architect Marques da Silva and the sculptor Alves de Sousa, of great architectural and sculptural wealth, and of remarkable realism and dynamism.
Built between 1909 and 1952, in honor of the Peninsular War (1808-1814), so called, for having united the Portuguese and the English against the French armies of Napoleon Bonaparte, in the Iberian Peninsula.
Note the presence of female elements in 3 of the sculptural groups.
In the front, a woman, Vitória, leading the people, holds the national flag in her left hand and a sword in her right.
In another group, another female figure, from the people, helps the military in artillery manoeuvres, with remarkable bravery and determination.
Finally, a third female figure, in the sculptural ensemble of the disaster and shipwreck of Ponte das Barcas, represents the spirit and maternal love, in the protection and defense of her child.
The ensemble is completed by a tall column surmounted by a lion (symbol of the flag of England, which sent soldiers to support the Portuguese in their victory) over a downed eagle, which is the symbol of Napoleon's empire.
It is worth observing carefully the detail of these sculptural groups of great dynamism, and loaded with symbolism and feeling.
Right next to this square, Casa da Música was built and inaugurated in 2005, one of the cultural icons of the city of Porto, stage of frequent musical shows, art exhibitions and other cultural events.
The building, of bold architecture, was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, as part of the Porto European Capital of Culture event in 2001 (Porto 2001).
