Pedro-Sem Tower

The Pedro-Sem Tower, locally known as Torre de Pedro-Sem, stands in the city of Porto in the Área Metropolitana do Porto region in Portugal.

The tower was built in the first half of the 14th century by Pero do Sem (also known as Pedro Sem), who served as chancellor-major under King Afonso IV of Portugal. Initially constructed as a fortified residence, or "casa-torre" (tower-house), on his estate on the outskirts of the medieval borough, it gradually became incorporated into the urban fabric of Porto. It remained in his family until the late 15th century, when a descendant sold the estate to the Brandão family.

In the 18th century, the Pedro-Sem Tower was owned by a wealthy wine merchant named Pedro Pedrossem da Silva. According to legend, he once saw his ships laden with cargo entering the Douro estuary from the top of the tower and exclaimed: “Now, even God willing, I will never be poor!” At that very moment, a storm struck and destroyed the fleet, causing him to lose all of his fortune.

At the end of the 18th century, the tower was incorporated into the Terena Palace, built for the Marquis of Terena. The entire complex was acquired by the Diocese of Porto in 1919. The complex, together with the tower, was then restored. Due to a remodelling in 1986, the tower lost its historic interior.

The Pedro-Sem Tower features a rectangular plan with 3 floors. The street-side windows and door are later additions.

Today, the Pedro-Sem Tower remains part of the Episcopal Palace of Terena and is not open to the public. A nice find in a quiet street in the beautiful city of Porto. There is another tower in the city center called the Cidade Tower.

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