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 Braga Accommodation
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Braga - What to Do
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Estela Golf Course
Ponte de Lima Golf Course
Quinta da Barca Golf Course
Amarante Golf Course
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Montebelo Golf Course
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Vale Pisao
Braga Guest Book
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Braga Wines
Vinho Verde Wines
History of Braga
A very important trading centre since recorded times and was given the name
"Bracara Augusta" by the Romans in c.296 BC. During the 5th
Century it was the capital of Suevian Kingdom but in 456 it was
captured by Theodore II who later converted to Catholicism. The Moors
took possession in about 730 and then later in 1040 Fernando I of Castile
eventually liberated the city from these occupiers. In the 12th Century,
Braga gained importance during the reign of King Dom Afonso
Henriques. In 1505, Dom Diogo de Sousa became the Archbishop
and his enlightened view gave an impulse to the city in many ways including
architecture and urban planning. It quickly became a spiritual centre and
the home for the Catholic Church and equally for the wealthy landowners of
that time. Splendid and architecturally interesting buildings still remain
to record this period. Its habitual turbulent inhabitants were used in 1926
by General Gomes da Costa in an attempt to overthrow the Democratic
regime with the result that led shortly afterwards to the beginning of the
regime of Salazar. In in last century in 1975, the then Archbishop of
Braga in the post revolutionary period, instigated an attack on the
local Communist headquarters by a mob of local citizens who by this act
decisively stated the political attitude of the church. (Visit - Portugal History)
Braga - Description
As still the home of Portugal’s Bishops there are many churches and the
Antigo Paço Episcopal is a fine reminder of the past. The façade of
this Archbishop's Palace dates from the 14th Century with changes in both
the 17th and 18th Centuries. Unfortunately, a fire in the 18th Century
destroyed much of its fine interior and it is now used to house books and
clerical records. At present there is an intensive project to exhibit the
Roman remains within the City that are believed to be of a considerable
size, and considered among the largest in the Iberian Peninsular. The 14th
Century Torre de Menagem that stands in the City’s square is all
that remains of the original fortifications. The much altered and extended
12th Century Cathedral was built on the site of an older church destroyed
in the 6th Century. Today, it also acts as the home of a prestigious
collection of Portugal’s religious statues, garments and other treasures.
Amongst other important religious relics is the Cross used at the first
mass celebrated in Brazil by Saint Francis Xavier. Another building of note
is the 16th Century Palácio dos Biscainhos that was originally an
aristocratic lavish home with ornate interesting gardens. On display
within the palace is a museum of Portuguese period furniture and many other
ethnographic items. The Senhora do Sameiro is the third most visited
pilgrim location in Portugal .In one of the minor streets close to the 17th
Century Baroque Church Santa Cruz is the ornate and blue tiled
façade of the building known as Palácio do Raio.
On the overlooking forested slope to the east of the town is one of
Portugal’s most famous tourist attraction,
Igreja de Bom Jesus de Monte. Construction of this building was
in 1776 and it's impressive Baroque staircase is symbolic of the
Fourteen Stations of the Cross that lead the many visitors upwards to
the Church. Ornately carved figures and wall-fountains and Chapels
decorate the steps according to the various stages of Christ’s last
journey. If daunted by the climb there is a primitive funicular
railway dating from 1882 that still runs-up alongside the steps and
this will take the visitor to the top.
A unusual museum named Museu da Imagem to be found at Campo das
Hortas that contains 120.000 old glass photo negatives. The area around
Braga is also famous for its wine, melons and other fruits.
Braga - Nearby Locations
Some 4 kilometres to the northwest of Braga is a simple and at the
same time most interesting Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montélios. This
chapel is one of the few remaining pre-Romanesque buildings still standing
in Portugal. Originally built about the 7th Century and later destroyed by
the Moors, it was then reconstructed on the same site in the 11th Century.
Directly to the north of Braga is the Spa of Caldelas. near
to this town and in the direction of Outeiro is a interesting 14th
Century building
To the east is the town of Póvoa de Lanhosa, which is crowned with a
castle on a massive rock that is believed to have existed as a building in a
different form over 2000 years ago. Today it is a ruin and hides in its past
history many tragic deeds. One particular macabre drama that is recorded is
when one of its owner, Rodrigo Gonçalves Pereira, upon discovering the
infidelity of his wife he promptly set fire to the interior of the castle
burning all the humans and livestock including his wife. To the west of this
town is the 11th Century Benedictine Mosteiro de Tibães that was
rebuilt in the 19th Century and is at present undergoing further interior
construction.
To the northeast is the access road to the southern part of the Gerêz
Nature Reserve of 72.000 hectares and its small Spa town of Caldas de
Gerêz. For any nature lover this Reserve is worthy of a visit. The
sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aperta in this park is the second most
famous location for pilgrims in Portugal with over 2.5 million visitors
a year
To the south of Braga is the town of Guimarães and the first
official capital of Portugal. Also to the south is the town of Arnoso
is a 12th Century Church.
Placed between Braga and the coast is the rural town of Barcelos
which is well know for its pottery. This was the home of the unique 19th
Century peasant artist Rosa Ramalho. Her glazed ceramic primitive
figures steeped in her imaginative pagan creativity are now only to be found
in museums or private collections. It is also from this town that the legend
of the "Galo de Barcelos” originated and this gaily-painted ceramic
cock can be found in most tourist shops. Various versions abound about its
origin but they all have the same ending in that a supposedly cooked cock
suddenly stood up on its plate and crowed thus saving the life of a
condemned criminal who had foretold this strange event. Within this town the
Archaeological Museum is housed in the previous 15th century Palace of the
Conde de Barcelos. Slightly to the north of Barcelos is the Spa
Eirógo. Further west at the coast there is the popular holiday beach
town of Esposende.
To the south of Barcelos is the the town of Furia with its
medieval ruined castle whose stones were used in the 18th Century to build
the the Convento de Bom Jesus.
To the south east of Braga is one of the most important archaeological
sites in Portugal named Citânia de Briteiros. It is located 15
kilometres north of Guimarães. It is an Iron Age settlement with about
150 original stone dwellings that were first excavated in the 19th Century.
Braga Photos
Braga Cathedral
· Braga Town Street
· Braga Cathedral
· Braga Town Square
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Braga Events |
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| Festival de São João |
23rd & 24th June |
| Town Holiday |
24th June |
| Market Day |
Every Tuesday
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Costa Verde Towns
Guimarães
· Porto
· Viana do Castelo
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Useful Braga Telephone Numbers
4700
