Santa Catarina street

Often frequented by shopping lovers, Rua Santa Catarina is Porto’s main shopping street. It first emerged in 1662, though it reached its current length of 1500 metres in 1784, as it was extended towards Marquis of Pombal square. In the first half of the 19th century, there were only fields here, belonging to the iconic Ferreira family, the Porto wine dynasty since 1751. These plots were then sold to make room for shops and businesses. Even though everybody here knows this street, you probably would like to hear a few facts I’m about to share with you. First, did you know a movie was filmed on this street? Yes, it’s “The Departure of Factory Workers from the Confiança Plant”, shot in 1896. Often said to be the very first Portuguese movie, it’s a short silent film directed by Aurélio Paz do Reis. And for all fashionistas out there, know that the first Zara store opened here in 1988, just after Spain. A prestigious claim for a shopping street like this one!