Braga (Portugal): attractions, reviews, photo

Braga (Portugal) is a beautiful and very lively city, the center of Catholicism. It houses a large number of monasteries and temples, museums and other architectural sites that attract the attention of tourists and are important for the whole country. And although not everyone knows about this city, it is worth a visit. Walking along the streets and sightseeing will leave the most pleasant impression in your memory.

Location and general information

The city of Braga (Portugal) is located on the banks of the river Esti. From Lisbon it is separated by 321 km, and from Porto - 50 km. The area of the city is about 183 square kilometers, the population is about 175,000 people. Time for 3 hours is late from Moscow.

Summer is sunny, mostly clear, without rain. The average temperature in this season is 24 degrees Celsius. Autumn is characterized by rainy weather, and in winter it is cool, sometimes snow falls. But at this time the air temperature seldom drops below +12. It is more preferable to come to Braga from May to October. But this city is beautiful at any time of the year.

A bit of history

Braga (Portugal) in ancient times was inhabited by Celts, and then there lived brakers. Already in our era, the Romans came to this territory. They founded a settlement, which was then named in honor of Emperor Brakar Augustus. This people is not just settled on the land of Braga: it was located right at the intersection of 5 Roman roads and needed as the most important strategic point.

When the Roman Empire fell, the Goths settled firmly in the city - for three centuries. The next owners of the land were the Moors. And only after that, Bragu took his own King Afonso III from the dynasty of the Burgundians.

Since the IV century, the city has become the capital of the local diocese. It was at this time that Christianity began to spread rapidly in Europe. As a consequence - the construction of many religious buildings and the formation of the city as a religious center of the country. This title is Braga to this day.

Braga (Portugal): attractions

Its age is 2250 years, it is one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. Therefore, there are a lot of attractions worthy of attention from tourists.

Getting to Braga is worth starting from the Old City. In this area the largest number of important places for the country is accumulated. At the entrance of tourists, the Arco da Porta Nova gates meet, best reflecting what awaits the guests behind them. The architectural structure is made in the Baroque style. Next, pay attention to one of the most important cathedrals - the Cathedral. It is a Gothic building, and many elements have been preserved since the 16th century. The interior and decorative objects here are incredibly beautiful and interesting. It is impossible to describe in words - you need to see.

On the territory of the Cathedral there is a chapel of kings, in which all the rulers of Portugal have found their eternal rest. Another beautiful place is the gardens of St. Barbara. This territory with a fountain and sculpture is located behind the Cathedral.

From the opposite side of the garden there is a palace of the archbishop. The building is a real architectural work of art and combines baroque and Gothic - this is an unusual fusion of two styles. There is a huge library, which has about 300,000 books, including old manuscripts.

What do you need to see in Braga?

In the city of Braga (Portugal), the sights (some of them are in this article) are incredibly beautiful, but there are a lot of them, which makes it impossible to fully describe the superiority of each. But since the city is deeply religious, special attention should be paid to temples and monasteries.

The brightest representative of the Italian Renaissance of the 16th century deservedly is Misericordia. Along with him is the capella Capela da Conceicao, as well as the churches of Sao Joao de Souto and Santa Cruz. The Church of Christ on Calvary, located in the vicinity of Braga, is compulsory for visiting.

Many museums, the brightest of them - Noguera da Silva. It collects collections of ceramics, sculptures, antique artifacts and paintings. Also worth a visit is the Pius XII Museum with exhibits of ancient guns.

Neighborhoods also deserve attention

Do not refuse to travel outside the city of Braga (Portugal). What to see in the vicinity? First of all, the Church of Christ on Calvary, located on a hill 6 km from the city. Bewitching begins already the area on the entrance to it. Here are built various exhibits, which are symbols of the fourteen stops of Christ. The staircase leading to the temple has an unusual shape and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

It is recommended to visit at least one of the nearby villages. They will be struck by their uniqueness, primordiality. The villages have their own monasteries and temples, museums and chapels, unique architecture.

Gastronomic tourism and shopping

In the city of Braga (Portugal) in your spare time from excursions you can distract yourself by visiting a restaurant or strolling around the shops and buying presents to relatives and friends. Kitchen in places of public catering is the most diverse. In advantage, of course, it is Portuguese, but many restaurants offer dishes from seafood and culinary masterpieces according to recipes from other countries. Popular in use are Inacio, Pedra Furada and Brito's.

There are a lot of shops and shopping centers in Braga. Most of them are in the central part of the city. Among a wide range, you can choose what is suitable for the price category. It is worth paying attention to religious goods, as this will be the best reminder of Braga.

Where to stay?

The city of Braga (Portugal), the photo of which is in this article, has a variety of hotels for every taste, purse and depending on the purpose of the visit:

• Excursions: it is better to choose an inexpensive hotel without an all-inclusive system, next to which there will be transport routes, for example Golden Tulip Braga 4 *.
• Sport and relaxation: ideally suited Mercure Braga Centro 4 *.
• Family holidays with children: Melia Braga Hotel & Spa 5 *.
• Honeymoon: Golden Tulip Braga 4 *.
• Secluded rest: Hotel Rural Alves (Casa Alves de Torneiros) 3 *.
• Shopping / gastronomy: Charme Sao Vicente 3 *.
• Treatment: Golden Tulip Braga 4 *.

Braga (Portugal): reviews of tourists

As vacationers write, this nice, beautiful and cozy town deserves a visit. Here you can pleasantly and profitably rest, visit interesting sights, museums and admire the majestic architecture. Walking along cobblestone streets will leave the most pleasant impressions, and monasteries, temples and churches will plunge into the distant past, when the religious component of the world was just beginning to form.

Tourists advise people who do not tolerate the heat, do not come to Braga in July, because at this time it is simply impossible to walk and visit the sights. So if the purpose of the visit is a sightseeing tour, you should choose another month. In general, Braga is an amazing town with its unique features and ample opportunities for an exciting holiday.