Where is Braga, Portugal?

Where is Braga, Portugal? Well, it is a city located in the northern part of the country just northeast of Porto. Braga has beautiful architecture and rich history and religious heritage. It’s the capital of the Braga district and of Minho province.

It was called Bracara Augusta in Roman times, and the city was founded in 20 BC. The city center is full of shops and restaurants. A favorite place for many is the local coffee shop, Café A Brasileira, and the bookshop, Centésima Página, which also has an outdoor cafe.

Where Is Braga, Portugal? — A Historical Perspective

Evidenced by certain monumental structures, the area dates back to the Iron Age. It became the domain of a Celtic tribe. During the Roman empire, Bracara Augusta was the capital of the Gallaecia province.

The city developed and reached its maximum development in the 2nd century. In the 5th century, the city was conquered by a Germanic group from Central Europe called the Suebi. Due to many battles for rule over the area much of the countryside was destroyed and with it many archaeological and historical records.

In the 6th century the Visigoths, an early Germanic people, took control of the area and made Braga a provincial capital. In the 8th century, the city was captured by the Moors, who were ousted by Christina forces in the 11th century. It became the main center of Christianity in Iberia.

In the 16th century, Archbishop Diogo de Sousa made many urban improvements to the infrastructure of the city transforming this medieval town into a Renaissance city. More improvements occurred in the 18th century creating many architectural changes to churches and other historical buildings.

In the early 19th century it was invaded by France during the Peninsular Wars and was relegated again to provincial status. In the 20th century, the city experienced much more growth and decline and required additional infrastructure improvements.

Some Interesting Facts on Braga

• the population is approximately 193,333 which is the 7th largest municipality in the country and the 3rd largest urban area next to Lisbon and Porto
• the city is the seat of the Primacy of the Spains
• Braga was the European Youth Capital in 2012
• it’s a major hub for the inland part of northern Portugal
• the Bom Jesus do Monte has a neoclassical church on the top of a seventeen (17) flight staircase
• the Braga Cathedral in the city center has the Gothic-style Kings’ Chapel and an art museum
• the Archbishop’s Palace overlooks the Santa Barbara Garden
• located between the east and west Braga is considered a transitional region between plains, fields, forests, valleys, and mountains
• it has a warm Mediterranean climate
• major industries are metallurgy, web design, construction, and software development
• the main airport is Francisco Sa Carneiro International Airport in Porto. There is also a local airport in Palmeira (Aerodromo de Braga).
• regional and high-speed rail connections are available and it has an extensive bus network
• the region has several neolithic, Roman, Medieval, and modern buildings and monuments
• there are several museums with a rich variety of historical artifacts
• soccer is the main sport in the area
• Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Braga was established as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2019

Things to do in Braga

* Centésima Página Bookshop — here you will find a wide selection of books as well as souvenirs and gifts of high quality. It is located in an 18th-century Baroque-style house called Casa Rolão on Avenida Central. There is also a cafe at the back of the store.

* Braga Romana Festival — this takes place every May and celebrates the times under Roman rule. It’s a six (6) day festival with plenty of entertainment, games, and booths offering food, beverages, produce, and crafts. There’s also a parade with people in costumes.

* Diogo de Sousa Museum — this is an archaeology museum with artifacts from various parts of Northern Portugal. The exhibits cover the period from the Paleolithic up to the Middle Ages.

* Raio Palace — Located in the center of Braga, it dates back to the 1750s and was built by a wealthy merchant, João Duarte de Faria. It has gorgeous tile work with a Baroque/Rococo exterior. The interior has intricately decorated ceilings with staircases and walls with hand-painted tile panels. There are exhibits related to the hospital that once occupied this building.

* Braga Cathedral — this is the oldest cathedral in Portugal and it is an architectural wonder with a mix of Baroque, Gothic, Romanesque, and Manueline. The baptismal font and the tomb of King John I’s son, Alfonso, from the 15th century, are quite intriguing.

* Nogueira da Silva Museum — located in the center of the city this unassuming building holds many treasures. This is the former home of António Augusto Nogueira da Silva, who created the Portuguese lottery in 1933. There is a collection of paintings, furniture, ornaments, and ceramics within a modernist interior. There are rose gardens and fountains with beautiful statues and a tea garden as well.

* Biscainhos Museum — located within a palace has many treasures from the 17th and 18th centuries including beautiful gardens with sculptures and fountains. The Biscainhos were Basque stonemasons who arrived in the 16th century to work on a nearby cathedral. Although built in the 16th century many of the features are from the 18th century as the family desired to display their wealth from tobacco and coffee plantations in Brazil.

* Shopping at Braga City Center — there are many interesting local shops to explore on the main and surrounding side streets. The city center is spacious with many flower displays adding color to streets such as Avenida da Liberdade.

* Image Museum — this 14th-century medieval tower was transformed into a multi-floor museum. It is filled with many photographic exhibits that change over time.

* Santa Barbara Gardens — located next to a medieval episcopal palace once home to an Archbishop, these beautiful gardens are filled with flowerbeds and manicured hedges. A variety of birds are attracted to this area during the summer.

* Bom Jesus Monte Funicular — built in the early 1880s, this is a railway that shuttles up and down the side of a hill. This is the oldest funicular in the world that uses water counterbalancing as the cars run simultaneously In opposite directions.

* Monastery of São Martinho de Tibães — the church and cloister is filled with Rococo, Baroque, and Mannerist furnishings with intricate woodwork and a gilded altar.

* Praça da República — this plaza is located in the middle of the city and is known as “Arcada”. Dating back to the 1800s this is an ideal place to begin exploring the city as the tourist office is located here. It has a beautiful fountain and is a great place to meet some locals.

* Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro — a hilltop sanctuary located 1857 feet (566 meters) above sea level. It has a church from the 1860s and is a favorite pilgrimage spot to its Marian shrine. It’s a bit of a hike up the hill but the view is most definitely worth it.

* Vinho Verde — this is the regional beverage of the Minho region. It is translated as “green wine” referring to its young age as it is drunk soon after it has been bottled. Although reds and roses are produced in the region, it is known for its whites

made with the albariño grape. It is often served with a deep-fried cod and sauteed potatoes, onions, olives, cauliflower, and carrots. The dish is called bacalhau à Braga.

* Festa de São João — celebrating the birth of St. John the Baptist, the city’s patron saint, the festivities are on June 23rd, and preparation for the events is for about two (2) weeks decorating the parade route between Avenida da Liberdade and Parque da Ponte. Grilled sardines and Caldo Verde (vegetable broth) are plentiful with music and parades during the day and frolicking in the streets at night smacking each other with garlic or toy plastic hammers.

* Chapel of São Frutuoso — located in the Real area of town, this pre-Romanesque chapel is located in a Baroque church. It was founded by the Visigoths in the 7th century, and incorporated into the church in the 18th century.

* Arco da Porta Nova — this arch is located at the eastern entrance of Braga’s city center. It was built in the mid-18th century by André Soares a Braga sculptor.

* Misericórdia Church — one of the city’s few Renaissance monuments in the city it is an Episcopal palace located in the same complex as the cathedral. It was built in the 1560s and is a magnificent piece of architecture both within and without. The facades are Mannerist while the interior is adorned with gold in a Baroque style.

* S. C. Braga — this is the city’s football/soccer team who plays in the Europa League. The stadium, Estádio Municipal, is constructed in a former quarry.

Wanting to Know Where is Braga, Portugal

There are many reasons people want to know where Braga, Portugal is. It’s a great destination with history and culture without the large tourism characteristic of places such as Porto or Lisbon.

Various international organizations have voted Braga as one of the best cities in which to live in all of Portugal. In fact, it has been called “Portugal’s Happiest City”.

The housing and overall cost of living have made Braga one of the best places in the entire world to retire. Also, the city has high-quality health services and a good job market.

As far as accommodations are concerned, you have a choice of hotels, guesthouses, and apartments.

Now when asked, where is Braga Portugal, we can highlight not only its location but its high quality of life. The locals are most satisfied with their city and surrounding area as it has plenty of culture, sports, and leisure activities. Add in job opportunities and the cost of living, and this is most definitely an area to check out for possible relocation or at least a visit.

Enjoy your journeys,

Joseph William

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