Guimarães

The quaint Medieval city of Guimarães situated in the Braga district is one of Portugal’s most important historic cities and is considered the ‘Cradle of Portugal’ because Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, chose this former Roman city of Vimaranes to be the administrative capital of the Portuguese kingdom following his victory against his own mother at the Battle of São Mamede in 1128.
The charming old town is marked by narrow winding streets, flanked by old houses decorated with statues, leading to the impressive main square, Largo da Oliveira, and the old Ducal Palace and castle beyond.
To really soak up the Medieval atmosphere it is worth visiting the city in the first week in August for the Gualterianas Festival which features a medieval-style handicraft market, arts fair and costume parade.

Guimarães Castle
The impressive square central tower of this castle surrounded by eight other smaller towers dominates the skyline of the town for miles around. It was actually built in the 10th century to protect the town against attacks from both the Moors and Normans and was later expanded as an arsenal and palace by Henry of Burgundy. Legend has it that Portugal’s first King Afonso Henriques was born here, although some historians say he hailed from nearby Viseu. You can visit the well-restored castle and the tiny Romanesque chapel of São Miguel where he was supposedly baptised.

Ducal Palace
This recently restored seat of the Dukes of Braganza has a Burgundy-style gothic flavour to it in contrast to the many Moorish and Norman influenced castles to be found elsewhere in Portugal. Built in the 15th century by Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza, the impressive manor house was largely left to fall into ruins when the family moved its base to Vila Viçosa, until it was restored during the Salazar dictatorship. Today you can visit the main state rooms which contain some impressive pieces of Renaissance furniture, some exceptional Flemish tapestries and Persian carpets. It is used today as an official residence by the Portuguese President to entertain foreign dignitaries. 

Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Monastery
This beautiful monastery church on Largo do Oliveira Square, which was founded by King Afonso Henriques, and restored during the reign of King João I in gratitude for his victory over the Castilians at the Battle of Ajubarrota in 1385, is not only famous for its ornate tower dating from 1515 in the Portuguese Renaissance Manuelian style, but also for the interesting legend, which gave the monastery and square its name. In front of the church is a 14th century Gothic shrine in the shape of a cross. The story goes that an olive tree was planted there to supply olive oil for the altar lamps, but it withered and died. Then in 1342 a local tradesman called Pedro Esteves placed a cross on the site and the tree miraculously sprung to life again! In case you were wondering if the olive tree on the same site is the original one – it’s not. That tree was only planted in 1985.

Alberto Sampaio Museum
While admiring the façade of the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Monastery, it’s worth going inside to visit the Alberto Sampaio Museum and the Romanesque cloisters which boast some of the best Portuguese Medieval religious art, statues, relics and famous Portuguese blue tiles or azulejos, to be found in the country.  Of particular interest is the chain mail tunic allegedly used by King João I at the Battle of Aljubarrota and a fabulous triptych panel painting depicting the Visitation, Annunciation and Birth of Christ.