Roman Route in Braga

A box of historical surprises

Braga, the city that preserves the history of the largest empire in the world!
It's impossible to talk about Braga without remembering the importance of Bracara Augusta. The city was founded by Emperor Caesar Augustus in the 16th century BC and was one of the most important commercial and social hubs of the Roman Empire.
That's why I decided to do a Roman Tour of this beautiful city.

The name Bracara Augusta was the perfect choice. It refers to the people who lived here before the Romans, the Brácaros, a tribe of Indians of Celtic origin.

Everywhere you look, you come across monuments that recall the time of the Empire and its occupation. That said, I invite you to go back in time and explore the ruins scattered around the city. And now, have you found all of Braga's treasures?

Every step a Roman surprise

Each excavation or even a simple restoration can unravel some mysteries. The city is constantly renewing itself, between the new and the old, and these discoveries give humanity impressive vestiges that make us understand that era better.

If you're fascinated by history, Roman civilization or are just curious about one of humanity's most latent issues, Braga has to be a mandatory stop on your itinerary. Come and travel with me around the city.

Keep

Let's start with the Keep. Although the Tower dates back to medieval times, you can see inside it what Bracara Augusta was like, with impressive historical records! Marvel at the size of the ancient Roman city and see how it has been reduced over the years.
Don't forget to take a look at the walls of the Tower, there may be secrets there.

Fountain of the Idol and the Roman walk continues

Then continue walking through the city's streets and alleys. They are beautiful and clean. Strolling through the historic center is a delight. Be amazed by the Idol Fountain, on Rua do Raio, in the city center. It is an ancient Roman monument, built at the beginning of the 1st century.

The fountain is partially preserved, with a width of 3 meters and a statue measuring 1.10 meters, making it one of the most popular Roman sites in the city.

Roman route and a special coffee stop

Before continuing our walk, how about stopping for a coffee? We headed to the Frigideiras do Cantinho pastry shop and, as we looked at the glazed floor, we found more Roman remains. When I said that secrets are revealed little by little, I wasn't kidding. On this occasion, the ruins were found in the context of a restoration. Just imagine! The Roman city was so large and important that we unknowingly stepped on many important sites of the ancient Empire.

Domus da Escola Velha da Sé

Continuing our search for the treasures of Bracara Augusta, we head to the Domus da Escola Velha da Sé, an incredible building that corresponds to an ancient Roman house from the 1st century, where you can also see the rest of the foundation of the old medieval wall.

Roman Baths

Next, I suggest a visit to the Roman Baths. They are just a 5-minute walk from the historic center, located in Alto da Cividade. There are traces that the baths date back to the 2nd century and consist of several compartments for hot and cold baths. In addition, many museums keep pieces and treasures from Roman times, and you can find many of these wonders of humanity in the D. Diogo de Sousa Archaeology Museum. Diogo de Sousa Archaeology Museum.

Pius XII Museum

Our walk ends at the Pius XII Museum in Largo de Santiago. The museum presents its visitors with an exhibition entitled "A Museum, a History". It tells the story of humanity, from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic, or from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. The exhibition also tells the story of the Romans, Suevi and Visigoths, through the Middle Ages and up to the present day.

Braga is always reinventing itself and discovering new treasures. Lose yourself and be enchanted by these discoveries. So, what is the city yet to reveal to us? I'm sure there will be lots of new things to come soon.

Join us on our next trip and see you there.

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