The port of Leixoes at the mouth of the Douro River is one of the largest in Portugal. Formally, it is located in the city of Matosinhos, but rather belongs to the nearby Porto. It was there, on the Southern Pier, that the new cruise terminal was built: it is located right next to the water, partly on a specially piled up area for it.
The building repeats the rounded outline of the pier in three external "tentacles" and one internal - a ramp encircling the atrium. The facades and part of the interior are covered with light ceramic tiles - this is a response to the traditional Azulejus tiles; the tiles also protect the building from aggressive water environments.
The project was planned by the port authority in 2004: now liners up to 300 meters in length can moor there, and a harbor of 340 meters has been created for them. The next stages of the project involve the installation of a decorative reservoir in the center of the building, as well as the creation of a public space connecting the terminal with the streets of Matosinhos.
In the building itself, in addition to the arrival and departure halls, there is a restaurant, event spaces and the University of Porto premises.
![EQUITONE [Natura] N164 White: Delicate White](https://i.architectureprof.com/images/004/image-9928-j.webp "EQUITONE [Natura] N164 White: Delicate White")