This Portuguese city is located in the district of Braga, in the northern part of the country. The city was already founded in the XNUMXth century and remnants of its medieval period are still preserved, being a city that has known how to evolve over the centuries without losing its essence.
If we are going to visit Portugal, surely among our main destinations are some cities like Porto, Lisbon or Coimbra. But there are many more places that can be of great interest in this country, with quiet cities that have their own castle, as is the case with Guimarães.
What to know about Guimarães
This Portuguese city is located in the Northern Portugal, 128 kilometers from Vigo, in Spain, 22 kilometers from the city of Braga and only 50 kilometers from Porto. It is very well communicated and it is a city that can be seen perfectly in one or two days, as a stop on the way to other more touristy points. It is possible to get there by train from Porto's famous Sao Bento station, but it is also easily reached by road.
On the city wall you can see the inscription of 'Here nasceu Portugal'. This is because it was in this city where the battle took place in which Alfonso Enriques proclaimed himself king of Portugal, being also a king born in this town. Its historic center was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011.
Castle of Guimarães
The construction of this castle, which is one of the most important landmarks in the city, began in the XNUMXth century. Over the centuries, some modifications were made to the castle, going through different owners. It was abandoned and already in the XNUMXth century the process of restoring the castle began, declared a National Monument. This castle is open every day from nine in the morning to six in the afternoon, the last admission being for visits at five in the afternoon. It is a castle that is very well preserved and it is possible to visit its interior, see the different rooms that are fully acclimated and climb some towers to enjoy great views. It is possible to buy a joint ticket to see the castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.
Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
This is another of the must-see places in Guimarães. East beautiful XNUMXth century ducal palace It was ordered to be built by D. Afonso, the bastard son of D. Joao I. This palace soon fell into oblivion and it was not until the XNUMXth century that they decided to rebuild and restore it. It was finally opened as a museum that can be visited in order to see tapestries, antique furniture and all kinds of historical pieces that have been included in the decoration of the palace. It must be said that the entrance to the palace is free on the first Sunday of the month.
Churches in Guimarães
In the city there are quite a few churches, which gives us an idea of how religious they have been in this place. The Church of Our Lady of Consolation and Holy Stairs it is located in the very center of the city. In the XNUMXth century there was a hermitage that gave way to the current church in the XNUMXth century. In the first week of August, the Gualterian festivities are celebrated there. In front of the church there are gardens that take you to the historic center.
La San Francisco church it was part of the convent. The current church draws attention for its austere exterior that contrasts with the interior, with a profuse baroque decoration full of details and golden tones. The church of Nuestra Señora de Oliveira is one of the most beautiful and was one of the most visited places in the Middle Ages by those pilgrims who came walking to Santiago de Compostela on the Portuguese Way.
Alberto Sampaio Museum
This museum is located next to the Church of Nuestra Señora de Oliveira. In the museum you can see sculptures and paintings where the religious theme it is the most recurrent. In the museum you can also see the old gambesón, which is part of the battle clothing of Don Joao I, who used it in the battle of Aljubarrota.
Guimarães squares
In this well-kept city there are some central squares that are places that should also be visited. The S. Tiago square It is a place dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. It is a well-preserved medieval square. The Plaza do Toural is another central place in the city. It was one of the most important and the cattle and bull fairs were held there.