 | In 1806 was built the first almost permanent passage over the Douro River, the "Bridge of Boats". It was a bridge made of 20 boats anchored side by side in order to support a timber deck crossing the river.
Here the famous "Round Map" of Porto with the emplacement of the bridge.
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The most ancient references to the crossing of the river without
using boats relates that the Portuguese king D. Fernando I (XIV
century) sent emissaries to ask that the people of Porto mount
a passage made of boats to cross the river with his army to assist
the people of Guimarães encircled by the Spanish troops.
The fishing boats were certainly used and the "bridge"
dismounted as soon as it was not necessary.