Porto’s Military Museum brings together material and onjects relating to war and military life in Portugal and Europe, with plenty of surprises along the way. One not-to-be-missed exhibit is a staggering display of 12,000 lead soldiers representing armies from around the world, from antiquity to the present day. Another is a sword said to have been owned by Dom Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s very first king. There’s also plenty of stuff for the boys: tanks, machine guns and other life-extinguishing kit.
There’s a lot on show on the streets of Porto: great architecture, vibrant culture and interesting people. But if you really want to get under the skin of this city and discover the powers that shaped it, you need to head to these museums.