Did you know?

The heart of D.Pedro IV (nicknamed “the Liberator”, was the founder and first ruler of the Empire of Brasil) is stored in Porto?

He gave the independence to Brasil in 1822! He soon became involved in a wider conflict that enveloped the Iberian Peninsula in a struggle between proponents of liberalism and those seeking a return to absolutism.

Pedro IV died of tuberculosis on 24 September 1834, just a few months after he and the liberals had emerged victorious. As he had requested, his heart was placed in Porto’s Lapa Church and his body was interred in the Royal Pantheon of the House of Braganza. Latter his body was transferred to Brasil.

His heart was placed on the main chapel of the Lapa church inside a vase, kept in liquid, and the key is kept inside the Mayor desk!