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🎬 Introduction

The area around 🔗 Porto: The Noble and Undefeated City of Portugal is surrounded by unique nature and filled with rich history. Many of these historical connections are tied to the ancient medieval town of Guimaraes, located just over an hour’s train ride from the center of Porto. Often affectionately called the “cradle of the nation“, this is where independent and strong Portugal was born. Guimaraes is also renowned for its beautifully preserved old town, encircled by the charming wooded hill of Penha, which is accessible by the oldest cable car. It makes for an ideal one-day excursion.

For more about what you can see in Guimaraes and why it’s worth a visit, please refer to the text and video below.

📖  “Here Portugal was born”

This picturesque town, located in northern Portugal, marks the beginning of the nation’s history. This was decided by the Battle of São Mamede, which took place on June 24, 1128, near the Guimarães fortress, along the banks of the Ave River. The battle pitted two armies against each other: one led by the Castilian count Fernando Peres, and the other by the young Portuguese prince Afonso Henriques.

The battle was the culmination of preceding events that intertwined the fates of the Kingdom of Castile and the County of Portugal. Afonso’s mother, Teresa de León, was the illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso VI of Castile and the sister of the reigning king, Alfonso VII. She was also the widow of Henry of Burgundy (Portugal), who left the county to his three-year-old son Afonso Henriques upon his death in 1114.

As a young widow, Teresa quickly fell under the influence of the Castilian count Fernando Peres, who gradually took control of the county. This displeased the Portuguese nobles, who looked to Teresa’s young son with hope. Afonso Henriques showed great promise, being a valiant warrior from childhood. At 14, he knighted himself in the cathedral of Zamora and was determined to achieve independence for Portugal, under the guidance of his mentor and strategist, Egas Moniz.

In 1127, Afonso rebelled against his mother and her lover, leading to the decisive battle in 1128. This victory was largely thanks to the legendary support of Egas Moniz’s knights, who joined the battle at a critical moment, turning the tide in Afonso’s favor.

The Battle of São Mamede marks the beginning of modern Portugal’s history. It was the first event in which Afonso Henriques, a future eminent ruler and the first king of Portugal, Afonso I the Conqueror, appeared in chronicles.

Guimarães Castle

Perched on a granite hill, the medieval castle served as the royal residence from 1139 to 1200. Its history dates back to the 10th century when it was built to protect the monastery from the Moors by the order of Countess Mumadona Dias.

In the late 11th century, the castle came into the possession of Henry of Burgundy, who thoroughly renovated it to serve as a residence. Afonso Henriques, the future king of Portugal, was born here in 1109 or 1111.

The castle’s structure is a typical military fortification, resembling a pentagram shield with eight rectangular towers and an inner courtyard. The current castle results from a 13th-14th century reconstruction, except for two towers flanking the main entrance, which date from the early 15th century.

The castle’s glory gradually faded over the centuries, falling into ruin. In the early 19th century, plans were made to dismantle it and use the stones for paving Guimarães’ streets. Fortunately, this did not happen, and the castle was recognized as one of the most important historical monuments in the Minho region. It became a national monument in 1910, and in 1937, the General Directorate for National Buildings and Monuments began its restoration.

Since 1992, the castle has been managed by the Portuguese Institute for Architectural Heritage (IPPA) and is open to visitors. Inside, a historical exhibition covers the region’s significant events.

🏰Palace of the Dukes of Braganza

The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza is a striking structure, especially compared to the nearby Guimarães Castle. This grand residence was largely reconstructed, allegedly more splendid than the original.

The original palace was commissioned in the early 15th century by Afonso, Count of Barcelos, founder of the Braganza dynasty and the first Duke of Braganza. Afonso was the illegitimate son of King John I of Portugal, the first king from the Aviz dynasty. The Braganza dynasty, a branch of the Aviz family, later restored the Portuguese royal lineage after independence from Spanish rule in 1640.

The dukes of Braganza lived in the palace and expanded it until the early 16th century, when Jaime, the 4th Duke of Braganza, decided to reside in Vila Viçosa. The palace in Guimarães was abandoned and closed for many years, and documents suggest it was never fully completed, which hastened its decay.

A century later, nearby monasteries and local people began to claim the stones and materials. The palace continued to deteriorate, and in 1807, it was partially converted into barracks for the 20th Infantry Regiment. Despite some awareness of its historical significance, the palace was in a disastrous state by the early 20th century.

In 1936, political changes led to a visit by António de Oliveira Salazar, who agreed to its renovation. The reconstruction, influenced by the monumentalism of the Estado Novo architects, envisioned Guimarães as the center of a modern Portuguese nation.

The palace was so impressive that it became a partial official residence for the President of the Republic.

The building has a simple form, with interconnected structures and four towers around a rectangular courtyard. Notable features include a chapel extending beyond the façade of the southwestern wing.

The interiors are austere, with granite walls, wooden floors, and high ceilings. Rooms are adorned with fireplaces, impressive 16th-18th century furniture, Flemish tapestries, a weapon exhibition, and valuable porcelain. The top floor is reserved for the President and is not open to the public.

Chapel of Sao Miguel do Castelo

Between the castle and the palace stands the small chapel of São Miguel, built within the castle grounds. Its exact age is unknown, but it is believed to date from the 9th or 10th century. The chapel’s thick walls are made of massive stone blocks, and its floor is lined with granite slabs, many engraved with the worn names of knights. At the entrance, a simple granite baptismal font is believed to have been used for Afonso Henriques’ baptism.