Square of the freedom

Square of the freedom

Square of the Freedom - Began because of being called the Vegetable gardens (of the bishop); then (1721) took the designation of New Square of the Vegetable gardens or simply New Square; from 1820, to mark the victory of the Liberal Revolution, it started to be called a Square of the Constitution; but three years later; it retook the ancient name of New Square; In 1832, it started to be a Square of D. Peter, in order that Liberator marked the entry in Oporto of the Army; in 1910 (13th of October), the republicans changed the name for Square of the Republic, designation that lasted 14 days because, to 27 of that month, it started to be a Square of the Freedom. So it is in the Square of the Freedom that there is the true symbol of the liberalism from Oporto, materialized in the beautiful equestrian statue of our dear king D. Peter IV (Statue of the authorship of Anatole Calmels - inauguration in October of 1862). This statue is a just tribute of the people of this city to a king who loved these people tripe-seller of noble heart, and like one day D. Peter said that like proof of his love for the city of Oporto, leaving needlework in will, that after his death his heart was withdrawn and offered him to the city and his village like gratitude proof because of having been received also and loved by these good and simple people.
The urn that contains the heart of D. Peter is guarded in the church of the Lapa and the key in the possession of the Lord Mayor of Oporto. The urn is opened once to each 5 years for the change of the liquids of