During the first half of 19th century, Porto ha suffered several situations of political instability such as the French Invasions and the Liberal Wars, which culminated with the Porto's Siege (1832 - 1833), leaving destructions signs all over the town.
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| Porto - Ribeira |
During the siege, the liberal troops of D. Pedro were besieged by the realistic forces of D. Miguel, with a disproportion of more than 8.000 soldiers to 80.000 besiegers.
The heroic resistance of the liberal troops, as well as the one of Porto's population, has ended with a victory, despite the hard conditions and despair resulting from constant attacks, hunger and epidemics.
Therefore, Porto earned the title Invicta - unconquered city.
The second half of the century brought great dynamism to the city, consequently resulting in a population increase and a reorganisation of the urban structure.
To cross the Rio Douro, were successively built the Ponte das Barcas, a Ponte Suspensa, a Ponte Maria Pia (railway) and the Ponte Luis I.
A Ponte Suspensa was in operation for about 45 years. Today one can still see what is left of the pillars of this bridge, near the Ponte Luis I.




