Braga, Portugal
Braga, Portugal
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Avenida_Central_em_Braga.jpg
Author: Gabriele luvara
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Braga is the third biggest city in Portugal. It is also the oldest city in the country and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. Modern-day Braga is the capital of Braga district, on the northern part of Portugal. It is a city of 178,000 people (2011 estimate) and covers 184 sq km (71 sq mi).

Cathedral of Braga
Cathedral of Braga
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S%C3%A9_de_Braga_%282%29.JPG
Author: Beria Lima
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The city of Braga was established by the Bracari tribe some time during the Iron Age. It became the main town for the Bracari tribe who inhabited the area from northern Portugal to Galicia. During Roman times, the Romans founded the city of Bracara Augusta in the area, and named it in honor of Emperor Augustus.

During Braga's long history, it has been occupied by various forces. The Sueves, a Germanic people from Central Europe, conquered it and established a kingdom there in AD 410. Then it passed to the Visigoths in 584, the Moors in the 8th century, and was taken by King Ferdinand I of León and Castile, who became Emperor of Spain, in 1040. It became the residence of the Portuguese court in 1070.

Interior of the Interior of the Cathedral of Braga
Interior of the Interior of the Cathedral of Braga
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catedral_de_Braga_-_Interior.JPG
Author: Josep Renalias
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The Portuguese Age of Discoveries some how bypassed Braga, benefitting other cities such as Lisbon, Évora and Coimbra. However, under Archbishop Diogo de Sousa, the city enjoyed improvements in its infrastructure, from the creation of new public squares to the widening of streets.

Today Braga has quite a number of tourist attractions from its long history, including numerous churches that are worth visiting.

Castelo Dona Chica, Braga
Castelo Dona Chica, Braga
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castelo_D._Chica_%2836%29.JPG
Author: José Goncalves
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Going to Braga

You can take a train or bus from Lisbon or Porto to Braga. The Braga train station is a little outside the city center, so if you wish to go right to downtown Braga, the bus is probably a better option.

Garden of Nogueira da Silva Museum, Braga
Garden of Nogueira da Silva Museum, Braga
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Museu_Nogueira_da_Silva_-_Jardim.JPG
Author: Joseolgon
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Notesworthy Churches in Braga

  1. Braga Cathedral

  2. Carmo Church

  3. Congregados Church

  4. Holy Cross Church

  5. Populo Church

  6. Misericordia Church

  7. St. Paul Church

  8. St. Vincent Church

Museums in Braga

  1. Biscainhos Museum

  2. Cathedral Treasure

  3. D. Diogo de Sousa Museum

  4. Image Museum

  5. Museum Medina

  6. Nogueira da Silva Museum

  7. Pius XII Museum

  8. Stringed Instruments Museum

Sights in Braga

  1. Aguas Ferreas Fountain

  2. Braga Castle

  3. Braga Town Hall

  4. Circus Theatre

  5. Coimbras Chapel

  6. Idol's Fountain

  7. New City Gate

  8. Palace of Braga

  9. Santa Barbara Garden

  10. Sieves House

Sights in the Outskirts of Braga

  1. Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary

  2. Bom Jesus funicular

  3. Braga Municipal Stadium

  4. Chamor Hill

  5. Dona Chica Castle

  6. Falperra Church

  7. Monastery of Tibães

  8. Sameiro Sanctuary

  9. Saint Eulalia Church

  10. Saint Frutuoso Chapel

  11. Seven Sources

Nearby Towns

  1. Amarante

  2. Barcelos

  3. Caminha

  4. Chaves

  5. Duoro

  6. Guimaraes

  7. Lamego

  8. Penafiel

  9. Ponte de Lima

  10. Viana do Castelo

  11. Vila Real

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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