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.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the city encircled by city walls grew. At the beginning of the 15th century, the city walls were torn down, and Guimarães’ then two separate districts were united through further expansion, which became possible when the walls were removed. Over the centuries, churches, monasteries and mansions were built in the city, whose center today stands as an exceptionally well-preserved and fine example of the development of a medieval town into a modern city. And for this reason, Guimarães’ center is included in UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage.
You can enjoy many pleasant walks in the center of Guimarães, and you can, for example, start at the Largo do Toural, which is one of the city’s beautiful squares. Largo do Toural originated as a marketplace in the 17th century, and although it was then outside the main gate to the city, it is considered the center today. At the square is the church Basílica de São Pedro from 1750 and several buildings in the contemporary Pombal style, which in construction techniques often used prefabricated elements.
From Largo do Toural you can walk through the streets of the old town to the church Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, whose history dates back to the year 949. However, today’s beautiful church is the result of later extensions and renovations. Southeast of this is the church Igreja e Oratórios de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos and a long stretch of Guimarães’ old city walls. To the north from here is the city’s beautiful town hall and the church Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
Just north of the city center is the large park named Parque do Castelo e Paço dos Duques de Bragança, home to two of Guimarães’ well-known attractions. One is the Dukes of Braganza Castle or Paço dos Duques de Bragança, a former ducal residence that was built from 1420. The castle was restored in the 1900s and is now a museum. The other is Castelo de Guimarães which was the city’s fortress, built in the Romanesque period and extended in the subsequent Gothic period.
Guimarães, Portugal
Overview of 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.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the city encircled by city walls grew. At the beginning of the 15th century, the city walls were torn down, and Guimarães’ then two separate districts were united through further expansion, which became possible when the walls were removed. Over the centuries, churches, monasteries and mansions were built in the city, whose center today stands as an exceptionally well-preserved and fine example of the development of a medieval town into a modern city. And for this reason, Guimarães’ center is included in UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage.
You can enjoy many pleasant walks in the center of Guimarães, and you can, for example, start at the Largo do Toural, which is one of the city’s beautiful squares. Largo do Toural originated as a marketplace in the 17th century, and although it was then outside the main gate to the city, it is considered the center today. At the square is the church Basílica de São Pedro from 1750 and several buildings in the contemporary Pombal style, which in construction techniques often used prefabricated elements.
About the Guimarães 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 Guimarães 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.
Guimarães 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 Guimarães and Portugal
Portugal Travel Guide: https://vamados.com/portugal
City tourism: https://visitguima-raes.pt
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/
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