Braga

41.54545, -8.42651

Braga Travel Guide

Travel Author

Stig Albeck

City Map

City Introduction

Braga is a city in northern Portugal and is one of the largest cities in the country. Its history dates to the Roman conquest of the region in around 136 BC. In the year 20 BC they founded the city of Bracara Augusta and made it the regional capital. In 283 the city became the capital of the province of Gallaecia, thereby increasing its importance. Braga was taken by the Moors in 711, and in 868 the area was reconquered by Christians. Braga became an important Christian center on the Iberian Peninsula and later one of the driving forces for an independent Portugal. Later, the city’s archbishops developed Braga after first the Renaissance and then the Baroque era.

Today, Braga is a beautiful city, where the streets of the old town are very atmospheric. In the center of the city there are several squares such as Rossio da Sé, where you can see Braga’s cathedral. The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Braga, who also has the status of Primate. The city’s episcopal seat dates to the first centuries AD and is thus the oldest in this part of the Iberian Peninsula. The cathedral was mainly built in the 12th century but was later rebuilt in the styles of the times such as Gothic, Manueline and Baroque. There is a fine monastery courtyard next to the cathedral, and you can also visit the cathedral’s museum with religious art.

Close to the cathedral is Praça Municipal, one of Braga’s squares. On the east side of the square is Braga’s library, which was built as the archbishop’s palace, while the town hall is to the west. The town hall was built in the years 1753-1865. The modern and popular center of the city is the Praça da República, and from here it is not far to the Theatro Circo, which opened as Braga’s finest theater in 1916. Close to this is the square Largo Carlos Amarante, where two of Braga’s many beautiful churches are located. They are the Igreja de Santa Cruz and Igreja do Hospital ou Igreja de São Marcos, which was the church for the São Marcos Hospital, which opened in 1508. And a few streets from here you will find one of the most beautiful of Braga’s many mansions, the Palácio do Raio, which was built 1754-1755.

One of the highlights in and around Braga is the Santuário do Sameiro, a church, shrine and pilgrimage site located in the mountains east of the city. The sanctuary was established in 1863, and the large basilica at the top of all the site’s stairs was built from 1890 to 1953 in a neoclassical style with a beautiful interior. The actual location high above Braga and the surrounding countryside is worth seeing, and you are rewarded with an amazing panoramic view of the city and the area from several places around the basilica.

Other Attractions

Day Trips

Guimarães, Portugal

Guimarães

Guimarães is a beautiful and interesting Portuguese city located in the Braga district. The city was founded in the 8th century, and it is considered the birthplace of Portugal for several reasons. One of them is because Guimarães was the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, who was Portugal’s first king with the name Alfonso I.

It was also in this area that the Battle of São Mamede was fought in 1128 between Afonso Henrique’s troops and his mother’s forces. Afonso won and became first prince and then king of Portugal.

More about Guimarães

 

Porto, Portugal

Porto

Porto is a beautiful city located on the Douro River in northern Portugal. On the hills north and south of the river you can see one beautiful neighborhood after another and there are many sights in several different architectural styles everywhere.

The Praça da Liberdade square forms together with the street Avenida dos Aliados the living center of the city, where many locals and tourists enjoy strolls in beautiful surroundings. In the side streets you can see Porto’s beautiful railway station, the Bolhão market and several other exciting places.

More about Porto

Geolocation

In short

Braga, Portugal Braga, Portugal[/caption]

Overview of Braga

Braga is a city in northern Portugal and is one of the largest cities in the country. Its history dates to the Roman conquest of the region in around 136 BC. In the year 20 BC they founded the city of Bracara Augusta and made it the regional capital. In 283 the city became the capital of the province of Gallaecia, thereby increasing its importance. Braga was taken by the Moors in 711, and in 868 the area was reconquered by Christians. Braga became an important Christian center on the Iberian Peninsula and later one of the driving forces for an independent Portugal. Later, the city’s archbishops developed Braga after first the Renaissance and then the Baroque era.

Today, Braga is a beautiful city, where the streets of the old town are very atmospheric. In the center of the city there are several squares such as Rossio da Sé, where you can see Braga’s cathedral. The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Braga, who also has the status of Primate. The city’s episcopal seat dates to the first centuries AD and is thus the oldest in this part of the Iberian Peninsula. The cathedral was mainly built in the 12th century but was later rebuilt in the styles of the times such as Gothic, Manueline and Baroque. There is a fine monastery courtyard next to the cathedral, and you can also visit the cathedral’s museum with religious art.

Close to the cathedral is Praça Municipal, one of Braga’s squares. On the east side of the square is Braga’s library, which was built as the archbishop’s palace, while the town hall is to the west. The town hall was built in the years 1753-1865. The modern and popular center of the city is the Praça da República, and from here it is not far to the Theatro Circo, which opened as Braga’s finest theater in 1916. Close to this is the square Largo Carlos Amarante, where two of Braga’s many beautiful churches are located. They are the Igreja de Santa Cruz and Igreja do Hospital ou Igreja de São Marcos, which was the church for the São Marcos Hospital, which opened in 1508. And a few streets from here you will find one of the most beautiful of Braga’s many mansions, the Palácio do Raio, which was built 1754-1755.

About the Braga travel guide

Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English

About the travel guide

The Braga travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Portuguese city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.

Braga is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.

Read more about Braga and Portugal

Portugal Travel Guide: https://vamados.com/portugal
City tourism: https://visitbra-ga.pt
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/

Buy the travel guide

Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.

Use the travel guide

When you buy the travel guide to Braga you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.

Travel Expert

Stig Albeck

Gallery

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