The imposing Avenida dos Aliados (Aliados Avenue), opened in 1916, is the heart of the city, a sloping boulevard lined with grand buildings and a central promenade.
Most of the buildings are hotels or main branches of the country's major banks. There are some imposing buildings such as the "Edifício da Companhia de Seguros - A Nacional" (1919) from the Porto´s architect Marques da Silva. He projected several buildings in Porto, such as the S. Bento station (1896-1900), the S. João National Theatre (1909), the Serralves House (1925)…
At the top of the avenue (Praça General Humberto Delgado) stands the Town Hall, a palatial building with a 70m high bell tower and a carillon clock. The central tower has a staircase with 180 steps, once scaled you can find a great view to the city.
Made of granite and marble, its design was influenced by municipal architecture of Flanders and France. In front of the building is a modernist statue in bronze from 1954 of Portuguese writer Almeida Garrett, surrounded by pine trees.
At the other end of the avenue is Praça da Liberdade, a square adorned with a statue of King Pedro IV on a horse, 10 m high with 5 tonnes of bronze, inaugurated in 19 Octobre 1866.
In the middle of the Avenue you can find some ornamental pieces, such as the “youth allegory†fountain and a sculpture called “the kidsâ€.
