The Diocese of Porto is one of 17 dioceses that will receive pilgrims for the Days in the Dioceses, between 26 and 31 July. Located in the north of the country, it encompasses an area of 3,010 square kilometres. It has four pastoral regions, 22 vicariates and 477 parishes.

Gastronomy is one of the highlights of the Diocese, as well as the wines produced throughout the region. In the Diocese of Porto, you can find "tripas à moda do Porto", lamprey rice and the famous "francesinha". Produced in the Douro, Porto wine is the oldest ambassador of Portugal, having acquired great notoriety nationally and internationally.

The Diocese is known for welcoming those who come from abroad, and it is also a region full of Portuguese traditions and customs. São João is considered the biggest event in Porto and is celebrated from the 23rd to the 24th of June. The most traditional symbols of this day in honour of the city's patron saint, St. John the Baptist, include manjericos (sweet basil), the Sanjoaninas waterfalls, open-air dancing and grilled sardines. In the riverside area, there is never lack of animation by the noise of the drums, as well as the balloons in the air that decorate this city at night.

At the Diocese of Porto you can also visit the Cathedral of Porto, the Tower of the Clerics, the Bridge D. Luis I, the Gardens of the Crystal Palace and the Monastery of Serra do Pilar.

Did you know that...?

1.

The city of Porto, the city that gave Portugal its name, is known as the capital of the North or as Portuguese people call it “Cidade Invicta”. A city that according to UNESCO is "a masterpiece of the creative genius of mankind, a unique work of art of high aesthetic value".

2.

On the fourth Saturday of each month, at 7 pm (evening mass), in the Divino Salvador de Fânzeres Parish, the celebration has a Portuguese Sign Language interpreter (LGP).

3.

The city of Porto develops by the river and its historical centre is considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1996.

The Days in the Dioceses (DND) is an encounter of young people from all over the world that precedes World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 and will take place in 17 dioceses of mainland Portugal and the islands: Algarve; Angra; Aveiro; Beja; Braga; Bragança-Miranda; Coimbra; Évora; Funchal; Guarda; Lamego; Leiria-Fátima; Portalegre-Castelo Branco; Porto; Viana do Castelo; Vila Real and Viseu.

Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing more about each of these 17 dioceses.

More information about the DND and a map with the location of each diocese here.