Braga - Cathedral Sé

Returning through the pedestrian precinct, this time a few yards to the east and then through the Rua do Cabido, we can see the main facade of the Cathedral, the Sé or Catedral. This jewel in Braga's crown was built in the 11th C. on the site of an earlier Romanesque church, enlarged in later centuries and remodeled in Manueline style in the early 16th C.

Its most striking external features are the west porch, with three bays of groined vaulting and a beautiful iron grille, and a charming figure of Nossa Senhora do Leite (Our Lady of Milk), probably by the French sculptor Nicolas Chanteren, on the rear wall of the choir.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Cathedral

Inside, above the richly ornamented Manueline font, is a magnificently carved organ case. In the Coro Alto (high choir) are fine 15th C. choir-stalls. On the high altar is a 14th C. figure of the Virgin. Among the many monuments in the church is the very fine tomb in a side chapel of the Infante Dom Afonso, Joao I's natural son (15th C.).

Things to See

Capela da Gloria

From the cloister it is also possible to gain access to three chapels adjoining the cathedral. The Capela da Glória, decorated with azulejos and heraldic frescos, contains the tomb of Archbishop Gonçalo Pereira (1336), commander of the Minho forces in the battle of Rio Salado against the Moroccans.

Capela de Sao Geraldo

From the cloister it is also possible to gain access to three chapels adjoining the cathedral. The Capela de Sao Geraldo has azulejos depicting scenes from the life of St Gerald, the first Archbishop of Braga (1096-1108).

Capela dos Reis

From the cloister it is also possible to gain access to three chapels adjoining the cathedral. In the Capela dos Reis, built directly onto the nave, are the 16th C. tombs of Henry of Burgundy (d. 1112) and his wife Dona Teresa, and, behind glass, the mummified body of Archbishop Lourenço Vicente Coutinho (14th C.).

Museum of Religious Art

An exit on the north side of the nave leads to the cloister built to replace a Gothic vestibule in the 18th C. From here a flight of steps leads up to the Treasury, richly stocked with precious objects, and a small Museum of Religious Art (fine talha dourada and azulejo decoration of the 17th-18th C., etc.).

Address

Se Braga
Rua Dom Paio Mendes - Rossio da Sé
4700-424 Braga

Portugal

Hours

May 1 to October 31

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30
Close	18:30	18:30	18:30	18:30	18:30	18:30	18:30

November 1 to April 30

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30
Close	17:30	17:30	17:30	17:30	17:30	17:30	17:30