15 Aug Guimarães – Birthplace of Portugal: Top things to do and see
“Aqui nasceu Portugal”– translates as Here Portugal was born! Guimarães- north of Portugal, is the cradle of Portugal, it was here that the first King of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques was born.
To visit Guimarães is to dive into Portuguese history.
In this article you will find the best things to do and see in Guimarães. You can easily visit the city in one day, but I suggest spending the night and explore the city in 2 days rather than 1.
Best things to do & see in Guimarães
- Guimarães Castle
The Castle is located on a broad hill – the latido hill and was the nucleus of the Portuguese nation. This was the birthplace of the first king of Portugal.
The castle is a seven-towered building, built in medieval times to defend the monastery and population from Viking and Muslim attacks.
- São Miguel do Castelo Church
D. Afonso Henriques was baptised in this church. The church Castelo was built in the 13th century. However, according to tradition Count Dom Henrique was the one who ordered the church to be built and this happened in the 12th century.
The church is relatively small and simple in terms of decoration. It has a Roman style.
- Paço dos Duques de Bragança
The Palace of the Dukes was built in the 15th century and during that same century it remained inhabited. The castle was abandoned and started to degraded over the centuries.
Centuries later, in the years 1937 to 1959, the Palace underwent a major reconstruction and it was at this time that the current contents were purchased.
Currently, the Palace works as a museum, where you can see works of tapestry, furniture, ceramics, paintings, sculptures or weapons.
- Historic city centre
Guimarães is a medieval city with a youth spirit. The city brings together students and young people from the surrounding areas. You can wander the streets of the city and capture the beauty and charm of the birthplace of Portugal.
It’s time to get lost in the city, don’t worry all the streets will lead to the same place.
- Toural Square
This square is the main square of the city, where there is a lot of commerce and where there are constantly open-air exhibitions on the most varied themes.
Largo do Toural is flanked by one of the most famous and important walls in Guimarães, which reads “Aqui Nasceu Portugal”.
- Muralhas de Guimarães
Guimarães was surrounded by an extensive wall, which contained eight towers. The wall measured about two thousand meters, and was built by D. Dinis.
This defensive structure surrounded both the upper borough, where the castle was located, and the lower borough, where the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria dominated.
- Museu Alberto Sampaio
The Alberto Sampaio Museum was founded in 1928 to house the art and other objects belonging to the former Collegiate Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira and other churches and convents in Guimarães.
- Don Jacinto Velharias e Antiguidades
This independent shop sells all kinds of antiques, It’s a must-visit if you enjoy getting good deals and checking antiques You will find all sorts of things – old phones, old dolls, chandeliers, guns, tea pots and so on.
- Oliveira square & Santiago square
They are both next to each other Oliveira Square and Santiago Square. You will find several restaurants and cafes here and you can have a meal and just relax. This is one spot where people from the city gather. You also see many typical houses, usually only found in the north of Portugal.
- Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos Church
If you walk a few meters you will see the beautiful garden of the largo da república do Brasil. The garden stretches throughout the entire largo and ends in front of the church da nossa senhora da consolação e Santos passos.
From the top of the garden, you not only have views of the church but also to the top of the Penha hill.
- Penha Hill
Penha Hill also known as Saint Catarina Hill, has a wonderful panoramic view of the city. This hill is the highest point of the city and you can get the cable car and get to the top of the hill. It only takes 10 minutes of the journey.
Serra da Penha has a Camping Park, an Equestrian Center, a Mini-Golf Course, a Picnic Park, tours by Tourist Train, Pedestrian Routes and the sanctuary of Senhora da Penha.
Whilst at the hill try to find the unique Ermitão wine cellar- a naturally formed cave where the green wine costs only 4€ for a pint !!!
Thanks for reading!
For more information check visit Portugal by clicking here.
Don’t forget to save the article for later and to share it 🙂
Also, If you will keep exploring the north of Portugal you might want to check my post about Gerês.
No Comments