Tourist Attractions in Braganca
The attractive old town of Bragança (Altitude: 670m/2,198ft), the Roman Iuliobriga, lies in a pleasantly cool setting on a hill above the valley of the Rio Sabor, in the extreme northeast corner of Portugal.
The town is the original seat of the House of Bragança, which ruled in Portugal from 1640 to 1910 (for the last part of the period in the female line of Saxe-Coburg-Bragança) and in Brazil (as Emperors) from 1822 to 1889.
As capital of the district of Bragança (area 6,608sq.km/2,550sq.mi; pop. 185,000) it is the cultural and economic heart of the surrounding countryside, which is mainly given over to farming, although in the town the traditional local craft of silk-weaving still flourishes.
Townscape
The medieval upper town is encircled by fortified walls about 2m/6.5ft thick, while the newer lower town boasts many fine burghers' houses and noble mansions of the Renaissance period, with handsome granite facades.
The town is the original seat of the House of Bragança, which ruled in Portugal from 1640 to 1910 (for the last part of the period in the female line of Saxe-Coburg-Bragança) and in Brazil (as Emperors) from 1822 to 1889.
As capital of the district of Bragança (area 6,608sq.km/2,550sq.mi; pop. 185,000) it is the cultural and economic heart of the surrounding countryside, which is mainly given over to farming, although in the town the traditional local craft of silk-weaving still flourishes.
Townscape
The medieval upper town is encircled by fortified walls about 2m/6.5ft thick, while the newer lower town boasts many fine burghers' houses and noble mansions of the Renaissance period, with handsome granite facades.
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Fortaleza
This large 12th C fortress, which stands high above the town, was built by King Sancho I.
Capela de Sao Bartolomeu
The Capela de Sao Bartolomeu, 5km/3mi south of Bragança, offers an unusually fine panoramic view over the town and castle.
Castro de Avelas, Portugal
(Near Braganca)
6km/4mi northeast of Bragança, in the village of Castro de Avelas, are the remains of a 12th C. Benedictine abbey. Parts of the abbey church, the only brick built church in Portugal, have been incorporated in the present parish church.
Cathedral
In the middle of the newer part of the town, in the long Largo da Sé, stands the Cathedral, the Sé de Sao Joao Baptista, originally a Jesuit church, a plain and sturdy Renaissance building with the air of a secular building rather than a church. The aisleless interior is partly clad with azulejos. The choir has reticulated vaulting with bosses bearing coats of arms. The sacristy has a coffered ceiling and painted panels with scenes from the life of St Ignatius Loyola on the walls.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Museu do Abade de Baçal
From the Cathedral, Rua do Conselheiro Abilio Beça leads to the former Bishop's Palace, now occupied by the interesting Museu do Abade de Baçal (archeology, fine art, folk traditions, handicrafts).
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Anniversity of the Revolution - Portugal (April 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
National Day - Portugal (June 10)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
Republic Day - Portugal (October 5)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Independence Day - Portugal (December 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Corpus Christi - Christian (Jun 10)
Anniversity of the Revolution - Portugal (April 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
National Day - Portugal (June 10)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
Republic Day - Portugal (October 5)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Independence Day - Portugal (December 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Corpus Christi - Christian (Jun 10)
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Pelourinho
Outside the main entrance to the Cathedral is a pelourinho (pillory column) of 1689, the symbol of municipal authority.
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