Located at the top of a hill, this 18th century Baroque tower stands 75 meters tall and offers visitors breathtaking views over the city’s historic centre. It was designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni and completed in 1763 as part of a larger project that included a church and monastery complex known as Igreja e Convento dos Clérigos.
The tower has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Portugal thanks to its distinctive silhouette, which can be seen from all around Porto. The bell tower consists of six stories, with each level having its own balcony offering stunning panoramic views over the city below. At night, it is illuminated, making it even more impressive against the night sky.
In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, Clérigos Tower also serves as an important historical site for locals and visitors alike, who come here to learn about its history and architectural significance. Built in a Neoclassical style with some Baroque elements, it is considered one of Nasoni’s masterpieces along with other works such as Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) located nearby on Rua Ferreira Borges street.
Visitors can climb up nearly 240 steps inside Clérigos Tower where they will find many interesting features including stained-glass windows depicting scenes from religious stories like those found inside churches throughout Europe during this period in time.
