The district of Fontainhas was a sparsely inhabited hillside to the east of Porto city. Occupation of the land was mostly industrial buildings, to support the former fishing villages of the Douro. Now these buildings are ruins along the hillside.

The hillside remained relatively uninhabited until the early 20th century, eventually becoming a place for the lower echelons of society, especially after the first world war. Fontainhas filled with beggars from the nearby social institute, building

their own homes across the hillside as they could no afford to live within the city centre. It has continued to be one of the poorest and overcrowded areas within Porto. However, in the last decade, at least a third of the inhabitants have left voluntarily, or been forced to abandon their homes due to landslides and squalid living conditions. Earlier this year the local government undertook an extensive eviction program for the remaining residents, moving then to prepared residences outside of the city limits.

The remaining houses across the hillside are still occupied. Particularly

those closer to the historic centre. Their quality continues to be maintained as families remain here over generations, fixing and upgrading their homes when repairs arise.

Since the 1970s, the Alameda das Fontaínhas has played host to a large second hand street market, organised by the local residents.

It was originally started by the local students wishing to sell their books, clothes, accessories and other used items. Soon other sellers decided to join them, providing wide varieties of merchandise.

Known as the Vandoma flea market, it is open every Saturday morning to the public. It occupies the high level public space of Fontainhas, overlooking the picturesque Douro.

The condition of the Fontainhas hillside has rapidly deteriorated over time due to the dilapidation of roads, difficulty of access and general lack of basic infrastructure. This lack of basic amenities has been caused by a number of landslides, fires, and the lack of government investment into the Fontainhas district.

In an attempt to consolidate and

prevent further access to the escarpment, the local government have implemented multiple relocation schemes for the current residents.

The most recent one has moved them out of the town centre area to the refurbished neighbourhood of Bairro do Cerco. The move did not prove popular as many lost their family homes of many generations, for a new home over an hour away, in what is widely considered a troubled area.