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Braga History
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.
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. 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.
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 Map (Click Here)
Braga Golf
Amarante ·
Estela · Miramar ·
Oporto ·
Ponte de Lima
Quinta da Barca ·
Quinta do Fojo
Braga Weather
     
Braga Information
 253 203 150 - Town Hall
253 200 430 - Fire Brigade
253 200 420 - Police
253 209 000 - Hospital São Marcos
253 262 550 - Tourist Office
808 208 208 - Railways (CP) - www.cp.pt
800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
Braga Events
Festival de São João - 23rd & 24th June
Town Holiday - 24th June
Market Day - Every Tuesday
Braga Locations of Interest
Ancient Episcopal Palace
Arco da Porta Nova
Cathedral Sé de Braga
Chapel - Capela da Casa dos Coimbras
Chapel - Capela de São Frutuoso
Chapel - Capela de São Salvador
Convento do Pópulo
Church - Igreja do Bom Jesus do Monte
Church - Igreja da Misericórdia
Church - Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Leite
Church - Igreja de Santa Cruz
Church - Igreja de São Vicente
Garden of Santa Bárbara
Home - Casa dos Crivos
Hospital de São Marcos
Mosteiro de Tibães
Palácio dos Duques de Bragança
Palácio do Raio
Square - Praça Velho
Square - Praça de São João do Souto
Tower - Torre de Menagem
Cathedral of Braga Museum
Museum of Accordions de Domingos Machado
Museum of Archaeology de Dom Diogo de Sousa
Museum - Casa dos Biscainhos
Museum of Bom Jesus do Monte
Museum of Ethnography, History and Regional Art
Museum of Image
Museum of Mosteiro de São Martinho de Tibães
Museum of Paper Money
Museum of Sacred Art
Public Library of Braga
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