10 Glimpses of Northern Portugal: 9.Braga

I’ve tried,  in this series of ‘glimpses’,  to just offer a flavour of what’s to be enjoyed in Northern Portugal.   So I haven’t named every church,  public building and mountain peak in the posts.   But what a wealth of beauty there is here – and we’ve barely skimmed the surface!

Braga,  it turns out,  is the 3rd largest city in Portugal.   We didn’t get a clear view of the landmarks because preparations for a major festival were well underway.   But its really beautiful – open squares,  elegant buildings and,  of course,  plenty of churches.

You could visit as a day trip from Porto but its worth spending a night or two if you can.

 

Braga’s cathedral is the oldest in Portugal…

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Jardim de Santa Bárbara is an example of a perfect city park.

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Palácio do Raio is a stunning example of Baroque architecture.

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Fonte do Ídolo (Fountain of the Idol) was built by the Romans in the 1st century.   It features a carved rock but the figure has deteriorated to the extent that its not possible to say whether its male or female.

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Part of the inscription can still be read – Celico fronto of Arcobriga Ambimogido built (this Monument)

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Well!  Something familiar about this!!  More steps!   Bom Jesus do Monte (as with the staircase in Lamego) is constructed with several landings,  statues and shrines and leads upwards to a basilica

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She has a wonderful view doesn’t she.

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Now that’s really cheating – and we felt bad not going up on our knees like true pilgrims!

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We weren’t in town for the festival of Sao Joao but there was a great build up for a few days and nights beforehand.

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5 thoughts on “10 Glimpses of Northern Portugal: 9.Braga

  1. I’m gutted I missed Bom Jesus when I was in Braga, but I’d love to go back for the festival so that’ll be another excuse to get back there :). Great photos too!

    1. Thank you – to be fair its a little outside the town centre so needs extra time. But now you’ve a reason to return! And you should definitely try to make the festival either here or in Porto…

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