Braga Portugal

Braga, or Bracara Augusta was founded in 27 B.C. by the Romans after having conquered it from the Lusitanians and Iberoceltics. It was a wide province that spread out over the north eastern peninsula, a territory which occupied what is today Galicia, Spain, the Portuguese provinces of Minho and a good part of Tras-os-Monte. The Swabians and Visigoths held it as their capital in the V and VII c., later giving it up to the Moors in 711. Braga came back to life with force after being reconquered and also thanks to an irresistible person, the bishop Dom Pedro, also responsible for building the first part of the cathedral XI c., the most important monument in Braga, Portugal. From that moment on, the importance of the clergy and the influence that the bishops had there, help to keep its strength and force going in Portuguese history.

A Look around Braga

In the old hub of the city, the Roman, influence as far as urban planning, is quite evident with its network of crossing roads. The do Souto Street in the centre acts as the main crossing point or back bone. As the do Souto Street narrows, we come across the Episcopal Palace, headquarters of the all so political power of the archbishop´s see, which lasted various centuries and the library holding many important historical documents.

In front of the Town Hall, near the Santa Barbara gardens, we observe the curious Baroque fountain of The Pelican. Near the Episcopal Palace, on the other side of the do Souto Street and hidden by a row of houses, is the projection of the Se or Cathedral. At first it was Romanesque architecture, adding on Gothic and with a touch of Nicolas Chanterene´s style, head teacher at Coimbra university.. He sculptured the image of Our Lady of Leite, the symbol of the city which decorates the exterior walls of the apsis. Diogo de Sousa, a mighty bishop, not only made the cathedral grandioso but also built palaces, fountains, chapels and gardens, opened up new streets, founded centers of education and made Braga, Portugal one of the most important cities on the Iberian Peninsula in the 16th century.

Near the Cathedral, the so Souto Street opens up into an adorable little square where the Sao Joao do Souto Chapel and the dos Coimbras Chapel, together with a precious mansion help us relive history. In all the photos available, you can appreciate a harmonic union and a huge iron gate at the entrance. Joao Coimbra was bishop Diogo de Sousa´s assistant and therefore an influential man with a huge fortune. As in many other places in theMinho region, Braga has its own sanctuary – The Sanctuary of the Good Jesus, not only to be seen in photos!

When arriving at the airport of Great Circle in Braga (airport code BGZ), one of the best ways to get around and to be able to explore ever corner of Braga is by car hire. We can now head to the town of Sao Jeronimo Real, 3 kilometres going towards Ponte de Lima, to visit the Visigoth temple of Sao Frutuoso de Montelios. This is a place where there are various hermitages from the VII century.

Being as Braga is used to dealing with visitors, there are many hotels, apartment hotels, inns and youth hostels to shelter everyone. Having visited the many holy places and having fed your soul, you must now fed your body with delicious stews or codfish dishes so well prepared in the Minho area where Braga, Portugal is awaiting you.