São João Night 2025

Thanks to the run set by MisD'erection when he took us up from the river side by the new lift sequence that I was aware of the Castelo de Gaia area and the view from the lanes there - probably the best view of the whole stretch of the river from Luis One to Arrabida bridges. Which is likely why there was a castle there ? But this year the fireworks were to be from barges in the river using the whole space between the bridges so Rua de Castelo was perfect viewpoint and not too crowded, and for hashmen there was a cafe selling beer !

So the photo I chose to use has the Mosteiro de Pilar 'under fire' - emblematic of INVICTA because it resisted the siege of Porto in the civil war. This years firework show was the best I have seen here, and before the huge number of sky lanterns drifting over the city - and starting a fire in a building near Parque das Virtudes !