GUIMARÃES

Largo da Oliveira

At the heart of the old town is the Largo da Oliveira which retains a medieval ambience and is an ideal spot for morning coffee or lunch. In one corner in front of the church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, lies a 14th-century shrine. Its canopy houses a stone cross that commemorates the miracle to which the church and square are dedicated.

Sometime in the early 14th century, an olive tree was transported from São Torquato a few miles away and re-planted at this spot, in the hope that its talent for supplying lamp oil for St. Torquato would work just as well for the lamps at the church Nossa Senhora da Oliveira. Alas, the olive tree objected to being transplanted, withered and died. Sometime after on the 8th September 1342, Pedro Esteves placed a cross he brought back from Normandy onto the dead tree. Within three days it miraculously sprang back to life. The miracle was used as an excuse to forcibly transport the relics of Saint Torquato to Guimarães.

Branching off from the Largo da Oliveira are charming narrow medieval streets where old granite houses with iron-work balconies loom overheard and where welcoming restaurants await you, the Rua de Santa Maria being a fine example.

Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira

Afonso Henriques founded the church in the 12th century to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Ourique against the Almoravid Moors. It stands on the site of a 10th Century convent founded by Countess Mumadona. Another century, another King and another victory. Between 1387-1400 the church was considerably enlarged at the request of Joao I. The works were carried out to celebrate triumph over the forces of the Crown of Castile. It was during this time much of the Romanesque cloisters were removed. Most of what remains now dates from the 16th century. The lofty Manueline bell tower was erected in 1505. Inside can be found the only Gothic ceiling paintings in Portugal, revealing an Italian Byzantine influence. Also inside there are two altars, a Gothic stone altar and a priceless silver altar in the sacramental chapel.

Tuesday - Sunday: 10h00 – 18h00, Mondays: CLOSED
Largo da Oliveira, 4810-281 Guimarães, Braga, Portugal. | 41° 26' 34.1" N | 08° 17' 33.8" W
+351 253 421 200 | geral@cm-guimaraes.pt

Chapels to the Stations of the Cross

The stations of the cross demonstrate the piety and devotion which the populace had for the passion of Christ, commonly found represented in a church but in Guimarães they're also found scattered about the city in small shrines. There were originally seven shrines, erected in 1727 by Irmandade de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos. During the course of time and with the development of the town the shrines have been moved or taken down completely. This has led to difficulties in identifying the sculptures since they have been dispersed in an arbitrary fashion, the five remaining shrines can be found at; Largo do Carmo, Rua de Santa Maria, Largo João Franco, Senhora da Guia and Campo da Feira.

Praça Toural

Now the beautiful square is an important commercial area lined with shops, banks and hotels but it was first conceived as a cattle market and its location is just outside the original town walls. A later rendition of the space happened in 1878 where space was converted into a public park complete with a bandstand, WCs benches and streetlights. The park was re-located in the early 20th century, its statue of Alphonso was moved to the castle area and replaced by an attractive fountain, the striking black and white paving was laid down at the same time.

In a commanding position on top of a hill overlooking the town lies the impressive castle walls. It is an 11th-century remodelling of the castle built by Dona Mumadona Dias in the 10th century. Its original purpose was to defend the town's monastery from Muslim and Norman attacks. It became the official royal residence once Portugal gained independence until c1200. Its tall slender walls have the air of a Hollywood backdrop. Sadly its interior doesn't deliver visitors expectations. The castle was brutally stripped in the 19th century for building material. However, a walk around the ramparts is well worthwhile for the views. The massive inner keep, the Torre de Menagem, once housed a Benedictine convent in the 11th century but now houses a small museum. In 1910, the castle was declared a national monument. In 1937, the General Service for National Buildings and Monuments started its restoration, which concluded with the inauguration of the castle's present symbolic status on 4 June 1940.

Adult €2.00, Conssesionary €1.00, Child <12: FREE
Daily 10h00 - 18h00
R. Conde Dom Henrique, Guimarães, Portugal. | 41° 26' 52.5" N | 08° 17' 25.6" W

Capela de Sao Miguel do Castelo

Down the hill from the Castle's entrance stands the small chapel of São Miguel, constructed within the castle grounds. Its exact age is unknown but it's believed to originate from the 9th or 10th century (its first recorded reference occurred in the 13th century). The walls are built from huge dressed stone. The floor is lined with granite slabs, many of which have the worn names of knights engraved. By the entrance lies a simple granite font from which Afonso Henriques was baptised.

The Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (Paço dos Duques de Bragança)

At the foot of the castle hill lies the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. This majestic Gothic stately home was commissioned in the 15th century by the illegitimate son of King Joao I, Afonso, who was destined to be the first Duke of Bragança. He lived at the palace with his second wife Contança de Noroanha. Unique in the Iberian peninsula for being constructed in a chateaux style more typical of northern Europe, boasting steeply inclined roofs and cylindrical chimneys. After the seat of the Bragança house moved in the early 16th century to Vila Viçosa, the palace lost its earlier importance and suffered a progressive decline. By the 20th century, the palace had fallen into almost total ruin, the shameful demise of such a national monument of great importance galvanised the Salazar regime into action.

Rebuilding began in 1937 and continued until 1959, at which time it was transformed into a museum housing an interesting collection from the 17th and 18th centuries. Of its present collection, a set of copies of four tapestries by Pastrana are of special importance. They tell the story of Portuguese expansion, the originals are now in Spain. Its fine interior is home to 16th–18th century furniture, Flemish tapestries, a display of weaponry and valuable porcelain, all of which is open to the public. The fortunes of the palace are now protected as a classified National Monument.

Adult €5.00, Conssesionary €2.50, Child <12: FREE
Daily 10h00 - 18h00
Rua Conde D. Henrique, 4810-412 Guimarães. | 41° 26' 46.7" N | 08° 17' 27.8" W
+351 253 416 310
pduques@imc-ip.pt |  Website

The only one in the north of Portugal, the Guimarães Suspended Cable Car (Teleférico de Guimarães) has been in operation since 1994. It offers a journey of 1,700 metres from the city to the top of Penha Mountain, climbing 400 metres in just a few minutes. It is possible to transport bicycles inside the cable cars during the trip up or back. Enjoy the views at the top, the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, which was consecrated in 1652. It has fine azueljo panels by Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes. Also amongst the wooded hillside can be found the PR3 Penha Route footpath, picnic areas, a mini-golf course, a horse-riding centre and several restaurants, cafés and bars.

Adult €2.00, Conssesionary €1.00, Child <12: FREE
Daily; Low season: 10h00 – 17h30, Mid season: 10h00 – 18h30, High season: 10h00 – 19h00 (weekdays), 20h00 (weekends)
URIPENHA, Cooperativa de Turismo de Interesse Público, CRL. Estação Inferior do Teleférico, Rua Aristides Sousa Mendes 37, Costa, 4810-025 Guimarães, Portugal. | 42° 22'' 15.1" N | 08° 22' 22.3" W
+351 253 515 085 | geral@turipenha.pt |  Website

At the end of the beautiful Largo da República do Brasil the São Gualter Church, also known as Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos was designed by the architect André Soares. Construction began in the 18th century and is probably one of the city's most attractive churches but alas it was Soares's last work. The two spires were added in the middle of the 19th century and the balustrade was added at the same time. The exterior is richly decorated with azulejos and a facade Italian in style. The altarpiece of the chancel is of classical inspiration dating from the 18th century, painted to imitate marble.

Monday – Saturday: 07h30 – 12h00/15h00 – 17h00, Sunday: 07h30 – 12h00
Igreja de São Gualter, Largo da República do Brasil, Guimarães 4800, Portugal.
41° 26' 28.5" N | 08° 17' 26.5" W | +351 253 416 310

On the side of the Monte de São Romão hill, laying guard over the Ave river valley, in-between Braga and Guimarães, spanning 24 hectares (of which only seven have been excavated), lies the fascinating ruins of Citãnia de Briteiros. Successive cultures dating back to the bronze age have taken advantage of this strategic spot. The slight elevation of the site and moderate climate brought bountiful treasures from the land in the way of farming, fishing and forest fruits.

Although little survives from its earliest inhabitants some rock art engravings have been found in this area dating back from the first millennium BC. Most of what remains at the site is attributed to the people of the Castro culture who from the end of the Bronze Age (c. 9th century BC) until it was subsumed in local Roman culture occupied northern Portugal and Galicia. The most notable characteristics of this culture are, first, its walled oppida and hill forts, known locally as Castros, from Latin castrum "castle", and second, the absence of visible burial practices, despite the frequent depositions of precious items and goods, swords and other metallic riches in rocky outcrops, rivers and other aquatic contexts.

From the 2nd century BC, some of the hill-forts turned into semi-urban fortified towns the remains of which are locally known as cidades, (cities) with populations reaching up to a thousand inhabitants. Such urban centres were hubs of industry and trade, manufacturing including pottery, stone masonry, metalworking and tool making. Pottery from the early Iron Age has been found at Citånia de Briteiros, the period after the settlement had been fortified with a system of ramparts and moats suggesting a need to protect its wealth.

Much of what is known about the site is due to the work of the acclaimed Portuguese archaeologist Francisco Martins Sarmento who started annual excavation campaigns in 1874 in which one such campaign led to the discovery of the acropolis, the highest portion of the settlement, the site was named a national monument in 1910. It is thanks to Sarmento that the visitor can have an insight into how life must have been during the site heyday, whilst walking along the original streets you'll encounter two reconstructed huts complete with straw roofs, remains of a bathhouse, and the ruins of the defensive wall and a visitor centre with exhibits of excavated finds.

Getting There
PR2 Footpath starts atthe foot of the hill in São Salvador.
Arriva bus 173 (Guimaraes - Taipas - St. Leocadia). Alight at Igreja de São Salvador de Briteiros, duration 45 minutes. Timetable
14 km (8.5 miles) North of Guimarães on the N309
More Information
€3.00
High Season: Daily 09h00 - 18h00, Low Season: Daily 09h00 - 17h00
Monte de São Romão, Briteiros São Salvador, Guimarães, Portugal. | 41° 31' 35" N | 08° 18' 55" W