Horrible Histories approach to city tourism could help Port au Prince

Three Portuguese architects set up ‘The Worst Tours’ to show the other face of the city they love

Call it the Horrible Histories approach to tourism. You know what I mean. The books (and TV show) that specialize in an irreverent but accurate focus on the dark, gruesome or scatological aspects of British and Western world history.

Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, is offering The Worst Tours ever. Literally. The focus is on Porto’s run-down underbelly. For free.

That’s the point. The Worst Tours is a labour of love, offered by three architects who want to save their city. The Worst Tours is a plea for help, for urban regeneration, for a bit of TLC.

It’s an interesting idea. I can think of lots of cities that might benefit – Port au Prince, Haiti. Cleveland, USA. Meerut, India.

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life”
– Jack Kerouac