Culture of Braga. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Beautiful cathedrals and churches remain the main attraction of Braga. Many of them were built yet in the beginning of the Middle Ages. The local citizens cherish the legacy of the past. Nowadays simply every church or cathedral of the city is home to unique religious artifacts. The historic part of the city is the most interesting one from excursion point of view. There is a beautiful park - Gardens of Saint Barbara - in the center of it. A large park with shady valleys and old trees will become a perfect destination for people who want to escape from the bustle of the city and enjoy the splendor of nature in its full.

The center of the park is the location of a beautiful cathedral. This is an amazing building in Romanesque style, the construction of which took place in the 11th century. Tourists should definitely not forget to explore the interior of the cathedral, which is always distinguished by an inexpressible atmosphere of harmony and peace. Walk through the park, and you will reach another attraction - the palace of the Archbishop. This is a large-scale architectural ensemble that consists of three buildings. The buildings were built at different times, but, despite the differences in architectural styles, the palace looks very harmonious. Thus, the oldest building is the east wing of the palace. It is a true example of the Gothic style. The central and the west wings of the palace were built during the medieval period and are made in the Baroque style.

A part of the palace’s premises is occupied by the oldest library in Braga. It stores ancient manuscripts, many of which are important historical documents, and approximately three hundred thousand books. The age of many books is more than one hundred years. Of course, these are not all places of interest that are recommended for visiting. Among newer religious monuments travellers are recommended to visit Misericordia, Santa Cruz and Sao Joao de Souto churches, the construction of which took place from the 16th to 18th century. One more well-known religious landmark of the city is located in a suburban district of Braga. This is Calvary Church of Christ. In order to reach the church, visitors will need to overcome a long zigzag ladder along which tourists will see numerous monuments, statues and even a miniature chapel. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Pius XII Museum is known as the most famous cultural institution in Braga. It exhibits a rich collection of archaeological finds and numerous objects of art. Noguera Da Silva Museum is also an interesting place named after the famous entrepreneur of the city. The museum’s extensive collection includes antique sculptures and paintings, beautiful antique furniture and other valuables.

The Praça da República is a great place to take a walk. The abundant vegetation, beautiful fountains, as well as shops and restaurants located around it, all contribute to make your time here an amazing one. Here is mounted Monumento ao Papa João Paulo II, one of the most popular Popes in history. Another interesting building situated on the square is Coreto da Avenida, and you should not pass by it. On the other side of this building, we can see another one – Castelo de Braga. To be exact, it is just a preserved part of it – Torre de Menagem. The square is decorated with Arcada and is the busiest in Braga. It is often the venue for folk festivals and celebrations.

Another nice street where you can take a walk is Rua do Souto. This is the main shopping street of the historical center of the city. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent views, wander into a cafe or restaurant where you can have great and tasty food, go further and enjoy sightseeing. Be sure to visit Bom Jesus do Monte. You can climb the funicular or the stairs so as to enjoy the incredible beauty of the building and Mount Espinho. It is worth pointing out that the place has its own mystical atmosphere.

There are interesting fountains in Braga, and some of them are particularly impressive. There is, for instance, the Fonte do Campo das Hortas, which was originally built in the 16th century but was only installed on the Campo das Hortas in 1914. It was built in the baroque style. It is worth stating that the square itself deserves attention – even if it is not so noisy and fun here, this is precisely what makes it attractive, and you can sit in peace and quiet, without thinking about anything. The atmosphere that reigns here is unique – the rhythmical sound of the bell, and the quiet fountains. One more fountain Fonte do Ídolo is located in another part of the historic city, on Rua do Raio. It is remarkable that this monument of antiquity is preserved in the best possible condition above all others. It is believed that its construction dates back to the first century A.D, during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

In Braga, there are other monuments of the ancient period preserved. For example, Termas Romanas de Maximinos, archaeological ruins, the progress of which you can observe if you are lucky. They were found in the year 1977. Nearby is situated the Archaeological Museum, where the main finds from the archaeological site are kept. Other places worth visiting while in Braga is the Prado Bridge. The building was built in the 16th century on a place where a Roman bridge stood previously. The bridge is fascinating not only because of its beautiful appearance but also because it is still operational, including for driving cars.