Guimaraes Tourist Attractions
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Guimaraes, in the north of Portugal at the foot of the Serra de Santa Catarina, is reverentially known as the "cradle of the nation", the berco da naçao, owing to the fact that it was the first capital of the newly established kingdom of Portugal, as well as being the birthplace of its first king, Afonso Henriques, not to mention the celebrated poet and dramatist Gil Vicente. Its well preserved old town and profusion of historic monuments and art treasures make it a worthwhile destination for the visitor.TownscapeThere is a welcoming feel about Guimaraes, with so much greenery everywhere. Town life revolves around the Praça Toural, lined with shops, houses and banks and the beginning of the town's main shopping street, the Rua de S. António, but tourists tend to be drawn more towards the picturesque old town, with its imposing granite houses. Many have wrought iron balconies, smothered with flowers, and the finest are to be found in the Rua de Santa Maria, around the Largo da Oliveira and to the west of it.
Castelo
Above the town rears the gray bulk of the 10th C. castle, with its high, slender battlements, one of the most complete and best preserved medieval strongholds in Portugal. As the birthplace on June 24, 1110 of the first Portuguese king, Afonso Henriques, it is also something of a national shrine. In the middle of the oval courtyard rises the tall and massive keep, the Torre de Menagem, which could hold out on its own if need be. This is believed to have housed in the 11th C. a Benedictine convent founded by the Galician Countess Mumadona. The curtain walls of the castle, with their eight towers, afford magnificent views, including those of the battlefield of Mamede.
Capela de Sao Miguel do Castelo
Below the castle entrance stands the small chapel of Sao Miguel (1105), built of massive courses of dressed stone, in which Afonso Henriques was baptized. Mass is celebrated here annually on the king's birthday to commemorate the event.
Paço Ducal
At the foot of the castle hill, surrounded by greensward, is the large Paço Ducal, the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, a magnificent Gothic residence originally built by Afonso, first Duke of Bragança, in the French style fashionable in his day (completed 1442). After the seat of the Bragança family was transferred in the early 16th C. to Vila Viçosa the palace lost its earlier importance, and over the centuries fell into ruin. It was extensively restored and rebuilt in 1933 under Salazar and became the official residence of the president in northern Portugal. Its fine interior, with 16th-18th C. furniture, Flemish tapestries and valuable porcelain, is open to the public.
Convento do Carmo
The route back to the old town passes below the ducal palace through the Praça de Mumadona, with a modern monument to the Duchess and, somewhat further west, the former Carmelite convent, the Convento do Carmo, its little church in an unpretentious local version of Baroque.
Largo da Oliveira
The Largo da Oliveira in the old town of Guimaraes is a well preserved square. The key sight is the 12th C church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira.
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Museu de Alberto Sampaio
The cloister and part of the former Dominican convent now house the very impressive Museu de Alberto Sampaio, with pictures and sculpture, mainly by Portuguese artists of the 14th 16th C., goldsmiths' work and a valuable collection of historical costume and furniture. Outstanding among the exhibits are the splendid sarcophagus of Constança de Noronhas, first Duchess of Bragança (in the cloister), a superb silver processional cross (16th C.) and the cloak which Joao I wore over his armor at the battle of Aljubarrota.
Santos Passos
From the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira in Guimaraes the long Largo da República do Brasil leads to the twin towered Baroque church of the Santos Passos (18th C.), richly decorated with azulejos and sculpture showing Italian influence on the facade.
Sao Francisco
To the west of Santos Passos in Guimaraes stands the church of Sao Francisco, founded by Joao I about 1400 and remodeled in Baroque. The spacious interior is entirely faced with azulejos. The sacristy has a massive coffered ceiling.
Museu de Martins Sarmento
In the west of the town center it is worth visiting the Museu de Martins Sarmento, an archeological museum in a former Dominican convent (13th C.) containing finds from the prehistoric settlements of Citânia de Briteiros and Castro de Sabroso.
Festas Gualterianas
Popular festival, with many regional specialities and fireworks, folk events.
Surroundings
Penha de Santa Catarina
About 5km/3mi southeast above Guimaraes, reached by a lovely mountain road, is the Penha or Serra de Santa Catarina (617m/2,024ft), a rocky height with a pilgrimage church (1898) and a statue of Pope Pius IX. There are superb views from the summit southeast to the Serra de Marao and, on a clear day, north to the Serra do Gerês and west to the Atlantic.
Caldas de Vizela
10km/6mi southwest of Guimaraes, attractively situated on both banks of the Rio Vizela, is the spa of Caldas de Vizela (pop. 3,000), with sulfurous springs which were already being frequented in Roman times. There are altogether 55 springs with an abundant flow of water at temperatures ranging from 16°C/61°F to 65.6°C/150°F, used for the treatment of bronchial and skin ailments, rheumatism, and conditions of the joints. There is an attractive park on the banks of the river (swimming, rowing) where a week of events is staged annually at the end of August, including folk dancing, various sporting competitions, clay pigeon shooting, etc.Within easy reach of Caldas de Vizela are the late 17th C. pilgrimage chapel of Sao Bento (4km/2.5mi) and the 12th C. Romanesque church of Sao Miguel de Vilarinho (3km/2mi), with a 12th C. Gothic cloister adjoining the church.
Festas de Vizela
Varied festival program, processions, traditional costumes, folk festival.
Caldas das Taipas
The spa Caldas das Taipas, about 7km/4.5mi northwest of Guimaraes, was known to the Romans. It has hot sulfurous springs (30°C/86°F), used for treating bronchial and digestive system ailments, as well as rheumatism, etc. There is an attractive park on the banks of the Rio Ave.
Map of Guimaraes Attractions
Map - Guimarães
