Things to do in Braga - Portugal's oldest city

Breathe history and be enchanted by a Roman city in Portugal

Braga is considered to be the oldest city in Portugal, over 2000 years old! It is also one of the oldest Catholic cities in the WORLD! I was enchanted at every turn and I'm going to tell you what to do in Braga

I suggest you take a walk through the different eras of our existence, keep your eyes open and pay attention to the details, Braga may surprise you.
It was Caesar Augustus himself, the Roman emperor, who in 16 AD created Brácara Augusta.
Did you know that much of Brazil's history is also present in this beautiful city? Then come and travel with me through these streets, monuments, squares, parks and museums.

New Gate Arch

As the Portuguese say, let's start at the beginning - after all, it was through this arch that we entered the city of Braga!
It was all surrounded by a wall and at the beginning of the 16th century Bishop D. Diogo de Sousa took the initiative to open the Arco da Rua do Souto, known as the Arco da Porta Nova.
Bishop D. Diogo de Sousa was very important in the development of Braga, with vision beyond his time.

However, the Porta Nova Arch only took on the shape we know today in the 18th century, when Archbishop Gaspar de Bragança possibly commissioned André Soares to make the change.
André Soares was a predominant figure in the aesthetic updating of the city that took place during the Baroque and Rococo periods, with the Porta Nova Arch being a great example of this.
Braga is also known as the city of the Baroque, with this period strongly present in its buildings.
Be sure to pay attention to the details of the Arco da Porta Nova, both on the side facing Rua do Souto, which has a strong Baroque influence, and on the opposite side, which has a latent neoclassicism.

Sé Cathedral

Passing through the Arco da Porta Nova and walking a few minutes, you arrive at the Sé Cathedral!
Of course, I can't talk about what to do in Braga without mentioning this attraction, which has become very important to the Portuguese.
They even created an expression where this cathedral is inserted

"It's older than Braga Cathedral"

The Portuguese use this expression when talking about something ancient!
After all, the Sé Cathedral was the first cathedral in Portugal, built in the 7th century.
Commissioned by Henry himself, Count of Portugal and his wife Teresa of León and Countess of Portugal, parents of the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques.
But it's not just on the outside that it impresses; inside you can travel back in time and there's a museum with some very interesting exhibitions.
But I'm sure it's not just the museum that will amaze you - do you like legends?
Have you ever heard of the miracle of fruit? I'll tell you about it.

It was winter and very cold with lots of snow and the trees weren't growing because of it.
Then St. Gerard, who was very ill, started asking for fruit and asked until his prayers were answered and the trees in the orchard were filled with fruit!
If you happen to be in Braga on December 5, don't miss a visit to the chapel. It's free and children can recreate the miracle of the fruit inside the cathedral.
It is in the Cathedral, more precisely in the Chapel of the Kings, that the tombs of the parents of the First King of Portugal, Henry of Burgundy and Teresa of León, can also be found.
Knowing the city and not including this attraction in your list of things to do in Braga is a mistake! In addition to all the history mentioned, you can also see a beautiful collection in the Sé museum.

Santa Bárbara Garden

Walking around Braga is simply a delight, its streets are very well preserved and the floors clean, every corner a surprise.

Hey, wait a minute, we've got to stop and enjoy this scent of beautiful, colorful flowers!
The Santa Bárbara Garden was designed by a gardener called José Cardoso da Silva, what a capricious fellow!

Town Square

Right next to the Santa Bárbara Garden is the Praça do Município.
But it didn't always have this name, it used to be known as the Bullring and there was also a market there.
It's funny how things change over time, isn't it?
But today this is the square where Braga City Hall is located, and where André Soares is present once again.

André Soares was born in Braga, was an architect and designed the town hall with a great deal of affection.
His name is present on many of the buildings we find around the city.
This square is also home to the large building that housed the Archbishops and was called the Archbishops' Palace.
But the surprises don't end there, right in the middle of the square we find the Pelican Fountain, which is beautiful!

Church of Santa Cruz

If there's one thing Braga is very good at, it's churches.
The city is extremely Catholic and the churches cannot be left out of the list of things to do in Braga.
This church has beautiful golden aisles and many elements about the death of Jesus.
It is another landmark by André Soares and one of the first great landmarks of the Baroque in Braga.
This is also where we find another legend of the city, lol I love legends.

Girls who want to get married, keep your eyes open and find the three roosters hidden around the church, they're in relief!
If you do, your wedding is sure to come!
Have you seen them? Two are super easy to see, the third...

Keep

It was practically what was left of the old castle of Braga, the largest tower of the old medieval wall.
In fact, this tower was built around 60 years after the castle as one of the city's defense reinforcements.

It wasn't until 1375 that King Ferdinand decided that it was necessary to build the keep. This was after the invasion of Henry II of Castile in 1369, which practically ruined the city of Braga.

Unfortunately, the progress of the city of Braga has been merciless with its old buildings. In 1853 they destroyed the Souto gate and then the castle of Braga suffered the same fate in 1906.
The politicians at the end of the monarchy ran with progress and wiped out countless testimonies of the medieval city; of the eight gates in the wall, only two remain.

But I'm glad we were able to feel a bit of the city's medieval air today, even more so by visiting and getting to know this incredible keep.
Emmanuel loved seeing the exhibition inside the Tower and hearing everything we told him about that time.

You can see a very cool fact in the overlapping stones on the wall! The stonemasons of the time used to create designs that were like their signatures, each one had a specific design and from there it was possible to count how many stones each one had laid and they were paid for their work.

Lightning Palace

It's known as the Palacio do Raio or Casa Mexicana, and it's another building that André Soares was involved in.
It was developed for the family of João Duarte Faria and the main door and balcony are cited as the best example of civil architecture in Braga.

However, it underwent some changes during the 19th century.
Its vibrant and beautiful colors make it stand out among the surrounding landscape, and it's worth a visit just to appreciate its façade!

Republic Square

It used to be a place where merchants traded their wares, and today we find many cafés and little shops.
It's in this square that we find a great outdoor space where the little one loves to run up and down.

There is a beautiful fountain and one of the city's most traditional cafés, Café Vianna.
Once in a while you'll find the Braga sign, where tourists love to take a thousand photos.

Spending a late afternoon and ending your stroll in this square is a great idea.

What to do in Braga, far from the center.

Bom Jesus do Monte

It's one of the city's postcards, with a beautiful staircase up to the church, lots of history and sacred works, as well as a sensational view of the city.

It is there that you will find a telescope where you can see every point of the city in detail and it is this telescope that is responsible for a common expression in Braga

Are we going to see Braga through a straw?

Stroll through the chapels on each landing of the staircase and see the beautiful works that tell the story of Jesus' life.

Don't miss the staircase of the five senses: each landing has a fountain and if you look closely at the details, you'll understand the name. But that's not all that Bom Jesus has in store for you: explore the area and go beyond the church! I'm sure you'll be very surprised.

There is a beautiful forest with picnic tables, a playground and a lovely lake.

Sameiro

Sameiro is the second largest place of devotion to the Virgin Mary, second only to Fátima.
It originated in 1863 with just a simple pedestal on which to place the image of Our Lady Immaculate Conception.
Since then, however, the pilgrims have not stopped coming and it was necessary to enlarge the site. In 1870, a chapel was built, but it wasn't until 1890 that construction began on the basilica we know today, which was only finished in 1953.

The pilgrimage to the site was so great that even then there wasn't enough space and a crypt had to be built underground.
But it's not just the basilica that catches the eye, its squares and gardens deserve special attention

Gastronomy

Eating out in Portugal is almost a tourist attraction in itself and what to do in Braga couldn't be further from the subject.
We can stroll through various tastes! How about starting with the famous Bacalhau à Narcisa or à Braga?!
There are those who like to dare a little and try the Sarrabulho soup, but I confess I didn't feel like it, meat soaked in coagulated pig's blood.

It's worth mentioning that sweets can't be left out! Pudim à Abade de Priscos, fidalguinhos, paciência and sameirinhos!
There's so much deliciousness that it's hard to leave without putting on a lot of weight!

Main festivals, don't miss out

Braga is very old and its events would not lose this position either, they are the oldest events in all of Portugal, in this regard the Pilgrimage of St. John stands out.

Holy Week

During this week the city is completely changed, there are concerts and grand processions depicting the life of Jesus.
The processions are very elaborate and don't be alarmed by the Farricocos, men dressed all in black and turning a noisy ratchet.
It always takes place during Holy Week

St. John's Pilgrimage

It's the oldest St. John's pilgrimage in Portugal, and the city is all decorated and beautiful!
The atmosphere is taking over the city, and for a change the decoration is the highlight.
To include this event in your itinerary of what to do in Braga is to add more history to your schedule.
The squares are packed with people and the music makes the party!
Don't miss the Ranchos Folclóricos parade.
It takes place in June

Roman Braga

Braga revives its history every year in a beautiful festival! We feel like we're going back in time when we see the chariots, Romans and warriors walking around the city.
if you have the opportunity to put together what to do in Braga during this period, you also get an event that is very worthwhile!
Fairs, theaters and performances are sure to delight the city and its visitors
It takes place on the last weekend of May

White Night

In fact, it's two nights and two days of festivities, culture and happiness.
Once again, the squares are filled with excitement and concerts.

If you can include this festival in your list of things to do in Braga, you won't regret it.
Stages and stalls complete the party.
The streets of the center are almost entirely filled with people who want to see the best of the city.
It takes place in September.

History of Braga

You can't think about what to do in Braga without knowing a bit about its history, it will make all the difference to your tours.
Braga is considered to be the oldest city in Portugal, with monuments that have stood the test of time. There are so many details!

This makes it easy to introduce our little ones to history, playing with the Roman and medieval periods right up to the present day.
We were able to take him back to Brazil in this whole game, bridging the gap between the baroque present in Braga and Minas.

There's also the first cross used in Brazil's first mass! It's great to learn about things from here and there.
We couldn't have chosen a better city to start our "Once upon a time, a country a month" project.
Braga breathes history, charm and surprises.
Our little one has absorbed a lot of good things while learning a lot.
We take the opportunity to tell them everything in a playful and magical way, so that their eyes light up with each piece of news.

Millennial history

The history of Braga goes back many centuries, with traces of habitation in the region dating back to before the Bronze Age! It wasn't until the Iron Age, however, that we have more significant accounts. The Celts were its inhabitants at this time, known as Brácaros or in Latin Bracari.
Needless to say, that's where the name of the city came from, right, but they weren't the ones who named the city.
In the 2nd century AD, that's right BEFORE CHRIST! More precisely 16 AD, the Romans took over the region, creating Bracara Augusta.

It was named after the Emperor of the time, Caesar Augustus, who personally founded the new city.
Bracara Augusta was once the most important Roman city outside Rome and the capital of Galicia.
Since then, many stones have rolled and conflicts have arisen, kingdoms and more kingdoms have passed through the region.
Visigothic Kingdom, conquests by the Moors, Kingdom of Asturias and much more history until it became the beautiful city of Braga that we know today.
The city's history is extremely rich and to wander through these ancient streets and figure out what to do in Braga without knowing it is to miss out on a lot of details.

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