Best Things in Braga

Braga is a stunning destination with the Braga Cathedral, gardens and parks, shopping streets, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus and its beautiful stairs, the funicular and Sameiro which seems to be a piece of heaven on Earth. Sometimes called the “Portuguese Rome” for its many churches, Braga is an ancient town in northwest Portugal. Best Things in Braga!

Best Things in Braga!

Sé de Braga. For those whose religion rhymes with simplicity, a visit of the cathedral is not recommended ! For all the others, the sight of it will be delightful. The works achieved on this Cathedral show that the Portuguese people knew, better than anyone else.

How to express their Catholic faith through their religious monuments. Three styles can be found in the cathedral (Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque). They give it a unique character.

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Archbishop’s Palace

Near the cathedral is the former Archbishop’s Palace, a huge fortress-like building begun in the 14th century and enlarged in the 17th century. Now occupied by the municipal library, it is visited for its immaculate Santa Barbara Gardens dating from the 17th century.

The most distinctive of all the other religious monuments is perhaps the Capela dos Coimbras, with a flamboyant Manueline tower and an interior with tile panels depicting the story of Adam and Eve.

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A day trip will be a very long day

To see all of Braga, including Bom Jesus, as a day trip will be a very long day. The train ride from Porto to Braga is one hour. With thee hours to explore the historic centre and two hours for Bom Jesus (including the bus ride). Add to this time for lunch and coffee breaks, and you have one very long day!

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Garden of Santa Barbara

This exquisite formal garden is next to Braga’s medieval episcopal palace and bounded by the palace’s beautiful north walls. Which is topped by typical pointed merlons. The garden is strict and ordered, with geometric lines and manicured boxwood hedges and topiaries.

But inside the borders is a riot of colourful flowers in the summer, attracting lots of birds. Back towards the palace there are the remnants of a Gothic arcade delineating the palace’s patio. And in the stonework on the walls you can make out fragments of sculpture and coats of arms.

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Best Things in Braga!

The city’s 12th-century Sé (Cathedral) is still one of the most popular attractions. Just outside of town lies the renowned Bom Jesus de Monte pilgrimage sanctuary, with its striking Baroque stairway. After dark, the stoic town turns upside down, with a rich nightlife thanks to its many university students.

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Raio Palace

In the centre of Braga, this divine palace from the 1750s was commissioned by João Duarte de Faria. A wealthy merchant and knight of the Order of Christ. It will stop you in your tracks as its walls are clad with blue azulejos. Which contrast with the graceful granite carvings on the doorways and window frames.

If you’ve been to Barcelona you might see a similarity between his work and exaggerated. Organic fittings on the facade of this building. The palace is next to Braga’s hospital and inside there’s a free museum with some old medical artefacts as well as information about the building and its recent restoration.

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Bracara Augusta

If you are history and archeology lovers, you will love this place with remains of ancient Roman baths and an amphitheater (one of the two largest Roman amphitheatres found in Portugal).

This site is an opportunity to immerse yourself into history and admire the ingenuity and advanced level of knowledge of the Roman civilization which left its imprint throughout Europe!

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Bom Jesus Sanctuary

Five kilometers (3 miles) east of the center is the spectacular Bom Jesus Sanctuary. One of the masterpieces of European baroque. A twin-towered neoclassical church built in 1784 sits on top of a marvelous Baroque staircase lined with chapels representing the Stations of the Cross.

The Stairway of the Five Senses, and the Stairway of the Three Virtues, or the spiritual journey of believers. Who must overcome their senses and attain the three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity in order to gain salvation. Visitors can take an old-fashioned funicular to the top, but it’s best to climb the monumental stairway to appreciate the symbolism and the architecture.

Best Things in Braga!

The palace is next to Braga’s hospital and inside there’s a free museum with some old medical artefacts as well as information about the building and its recent restoration. Who must overcome their senses and attain the three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity in order to gain salvation.

Visitors can take an old-fashioned funicular to the top, but it’s best to climb the monumental stairway to appreciate the symbolism and the architecture. But inside the borders is a riot of colourful flowers in the summer, attracting lots of birds. The works achieved on this Cathedral show that the Portuguese people knew, better than anyone else.

The city’s 12th-century Sé (Cathedral) is still one of the most popular attractions.

The palace is next to Braga’s hospital and inside there’s a free museum with some old medical artefacts as well as information about the building and its recent restoration. Who must overcome their senses and attain the three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity in order to gain salvation.