🎬Introduction
Braga, often referred to as the “Portuguese Rome“, is nestled in the heart of the Minho province and is home to the oldest archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Portugal. The city can easily be explored on a day trip from 🔗 Porto, with the journey taking about an hour by the CP suburban train, which departs directly from 🔗 São Bento station.
While exploring the historic old town, don’t miss the chance to visit the nearby, unique 🔗 Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary. You can reach the sanctuary by city bus from Braga or conveniently by taxi.
For more details on what to see in Braga, check out the post below 📖 and our video. 🎥 We invite you to discover Braga!
📖 Let’s Discover Braga
Archaeological research indicates that the area of present-day Braga has been inhabited for thousands of years, though the city itself was founded by the Romans in 16 BCE. They named it Bracara Augusta in honor of Emperor Augustus. At the time, it was an important northern hub of ud83cudf10 Lusitania, a Roman province located on the Iberian Peninsula
The first officially recognized bishop of Braga was St. Peter of Rates, who served from 45 to 60 AD. According to legend, he was personally encouraged to take on this role by St. James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Bishop Peter was martyred while converting the local population to Christianity.
Braga played a crucial role in the Christianization of the Iberian Peninsula. In the 6th century, synods were held here, and even the Germanic King of the Suebi, who inhabited these lands, converted to Christianity. The city was heavily damaged during the Moorish period but regained its former glory in the 11th century, following the turbulent era of the Reconquista. During this time, Braga became the main center of Christianity on the Iberian Peninsula until the rise of the dioceses in nearby Santiago de Compostela and Spanish Toledo.
The bishops of Braga also played a significant role in shaping the emerging nation of Portugal. Thanks to the support of Bishop Paio Mendes and his connections with Pope Alexander III, the Bull Manifestis Probatum was issued in 1179, recognizing Portugal as an independent kingdom under its first king, Afonso I the Conqueror. In return, Afonso granted the city of Braga to the bishops, a gift that had originally been made by his parents, Teresa of León and Henry of Burgundy, in 1112. Their remains now rest in the Sé Cathedral in Braga.
⛪ The Sé Cathedral
In 1089, the first Portuguese cathedral was built in Braga, becoming the seat of the first Portuguese bishop, Pedro de Braga. To this day, the city boasts the highest concentration of churches in all of Portugal and is an important academic center. It’s no wonder part of the popular saying goes: “Braga prays.” (… followed by: “Coimbra studies, Porto works, and Lisbon… parties.” Interestingly, only the people of Lisbon don’t recite this saying with a smile.)
Another Portuguese saying suggests that when something is truly ancient, it’s “older than the Cathedral in Braga.” Rightly so, as the construction of the cathedral, which still stands today, began when Portugal had yet to exist as a nation. The Diocese of Braga was established in the 3rd century AD and is one of the oldest on the Iberian Peninsula.
In 1089, Bishop Pedro initiated the construction of the cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A few years later, in 1107, Henry of Burgundy, along with the next bishop, Geraldo de Moissac, successfully persuaded the Pope to elevate Braga to an archbishopric.
The construction of the cathedral extended into the 13th century, with the original Romanesque-Burgundian style evolving into a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, and even Baroque styles. Integral parts of the cathedral are the four chapels and cloisters that were added later.
The exterior is distinguished by its western façade, which is quite austere in decoration, with two twin towers and a niche housing a statue of the Virgin Mary with the Child.
Since 1910, the cathedral has been classified as a national monument, and it is the first destination for most tourists arriving in Braga.
Interior
The main altar of the church features a 14th-century sculpture of Nossa Senhora de Braga, while the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament houses a wooden altarpiece inspired by Rubens’ “Triumph of the Church.”
From the moment you step inside, the most striking feature is undoubtedly the High Choir and the Baroque Iberian organs. Their history dates back to 1737, when the Braga Cathedral, faced with the need to replace the old 16th-century choir stalls, commissioned Marceliano de Araújo and Miguel Francisco da Silva to design the monumental High Choir, complete with new stalls and intricately carved and gilded organ façades.
The new set of choir stalls consisted of two rows of seats, all in a unified decorative style, with an exceptional honorary tribune for the archbishop at the center.
Since music played a crucial role in Baroque Roman Catholic liturgy, Simão Fontanes was commissioned to build the mechanism for two impressive Baroque organs, containing thousands of copper pipes, encased in magnificent cabinets crafted by Braga sculptor Marceliano de Araújo.
The stunning ceiling painting, also created during this phase of the cathedral’s renovation, was the work of Manuel Furtado de Mendonça. The Braga Cathedral organs, commonly classified as Iberian organs, are located on two balconies above the main nave. The richness of the sculptural ornaments, extending from the base of the building to its peak, makes this work one of the finest examples of Baroque woodcarving in Portugal.
Gothic Chapel of the Kings
As part of the cathedral tour, one of the notable rooms is the Gothic Chapel of the Kings, known as “Capela dos Reis”. The most attention-grabbing feature here is the centrally placed, mummified body of 14th-century Bishop Lourenço Vicente. This distinguished Archbishop of Braga and Primate of Spain participated in Portugal’s victorious battle against Castile at Aljubarrota in 1385, where he was wounded, and the scar on his face remains visible to this day. Nearby, the tombs of Henry of Burgundy and his wife Teresa, parents of Portugal’s first king, Afonso I the Conqueror, stand side by side as per their son’s wishes.
Braga Cathedral Treasury Museum
Located in the former chapter house “Casa do Cabido”, the Braga Cathedral Treasury Museum houses a collection of priceless artifacts that represent significant events in the cathedral’s history. The museum is often visited in conjunction with the cathedral, making it one of the most frequented museums in the city by tourists. Among the exhibits is the cross that Pedro Álvares Cabral brought to Brazil and used during the first Mass celebrated there, as well as the unique liturgical shoes of Archbishop Rodrigo de Moura Teles, designed to disguise his short stature, along with many other relics.
Arco da Porta Nova
The medieval city walls surrounding Braga were completed around 1373, and their crowning feature was the gates leading into the city. One of these gate towers was transformed into a grand entrance in the early 16th century by Bishop Diogo de Sousa, who left it without wooden doors. This not only allowed the completion of Souto Street but also facilitated the growth of the commercial district around the gate. With many years of peace, the city began expanding beyond the medieval walls. The bishop’s decision to leave Porta Nova without wooden doors was both innovative and unusual, as all the other seven gates were still locked every night. This led to the famous saying that the people of Braga are known for leaving their doors open. The phrase “Are you from Braga? You left the doors open” became popular and was used to promote the city in 20th-century campaigns.
The gate we see today, Arco da Porta Nova, is an 18th-century Baroque triumphal arch designed by André Soares at the request of Bishop Gaspar de Bragança.
The Archbishop’s Palace
The Archbishop’s Palace is a complex of three distinct buildings of irregular shapes, each from different periods, yet interconnected and complementing one another. The oldest part, visible from the Santa Barbara Garden, dates back to the medieval era and was initiated in 1336 by Bishop Gonçalo Pereira. 
In the 16th century, the palace underwent significant expansion, with the addition of its northern and western wings. The 17th century saw the inclusion of numerous Baroque decorations and the expansion of the library, which housed many unique volumes. Unfortunately, both the Baroque wing and Bishop Gaspar de Bragança’s library were destroyed in a devastating fire in 1866.
In the early 20th century, many façades facing Largo do Paço were plastered and painted. In 1911, the archbishops were permanently expelled from the palace, and the building was taken over by institutions such as the 8th Infantry Regiment, the courts, and the municipal guard. Many items belonging to the clergy were sold, including five fountains from the inner gardens. In 1930, the palace underwent extensive modernization, converting the building into Braga’s public library and district archive.
In 1950, new projects for remodeling the City Market began, which were further expanded with the construction of the Santa Barbara Garden in 1955.
🌺Jardim de Santa Bárbara
One of the favorite spots for relaxation in Braga is the Santa Barbara Garden, a public space named after the 17th-century fountain adorned with a statue of St. Barbara, which once belonged to the Remédios Monastery. This small park is also a popular location for photography, thanks to its beautiful floral arrangements and the backdrop of the medieval wing of the Archbishop’s Palace.
Raio Palace
Raio Palace is another masterpiece by the renowned architect André Soares, standing out in the landscape with its stunning blue façade. Also known as the “House of the Mexican“, it was built between 1752 and 1755 for the family of João Duarte de Faria, its first owner. In 1853, the palace was acquired by Miguel José Raio, from whom it takes its current name. By the late 19th century, the building came into the possession of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Braga (Holy House of Mercy of Braga), where it remained until 1974. Today, it houses the Mercy Memory Interpretation Center of Braga, which features paintings, sculptures, vestments, and documents dedicated to the Church, sacred art, and the benefactors of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Braga. The exhibition also includes materials related to one of the city’s most famous processions—Ecce Homo.
We hope we’ve inspired you to visit this beautiful Portuguese city. It’s also worth mentioning that Braga is considered one of the youngest cities in Europe, thanks to its large population of young residents. The city offers an excellent quality of life, supports families, promotes innovation and diversity, all while preserving its rich heritage. See you in Braga!
