Guimarães, Portugal

 Guimarães, Portugal

Fondly regarded by the Portuguese as the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães is rich in history and a delight to visit. It is so beautiful and well-preserved that it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With only a few hours to visit Guimarães, we tried to make the most of it by starting with a cable car ride to the summit of Penha where we spent a couple of hours before making our way back to the historic center of Guimarães.

MONTE DA PENHA

 Monte da Penha, a forest-covered hill (617m) with giant boulders and tranquil footpaths, fountains and waterways, picnic areas and viewpoints with fantastic views.
The church, Santuário da Penha, is an art deco style, made from granite from the region in the 30s, is a symbol of faith and beacon of Guimarães.


Santuário da Penha

 Teleférico de Guimarães (cable car)

CASTELO DE GUIMARÃES (THE CASTLE)

Perched on a rocky promontory in the heart of the city,  the Castle of Guimarães dates back to the 10th century and it's a blend of Romanesque and Gothic influences, a sign of its long history.
The castle was built on the small hill in order to have the best view of invaders and became a fortress to the Moors and Norse attacks.
The first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, is believed to have been born inside the castle in 1109 and here he lived, making it the royal residence of the newly formed kingdom in the 12th century.
Although it's the main landmark of Guimarães and one of the most famous landmarks of Portugal, there isn't much to see inside, apart from the impressive walls and ruins. But it's definitely very impressive from the outside and well-worth visiting.


Castelo de Guimarães

HISTORIC CITY CENTRE

Dom Afonso Henriques statue 


Largo Martins Sarmento

Jardim do Carmo (Carmo Gardens)


Praça de São Tiago (Sao Tiago Square)

 


Rua de Santa Maria

 
Entrance to São Tiago Square


Largo da República do Brasil (Garden Square of Republic of Brazil)

Once a field where the Battle of São Mamede took place in 1128, which marked an important turning point in establishing Portugal's independence from the Kingdom of Leon, today it is a beautiful avenue adorned with many flowerbeds, with the church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação at the bottom and a far away view of Monte da Penha.

The square got its current name after Brazil declared independence from Portugal in 1822 to commemorate their shared historical ties. Today it stands not only as a symbol of Guimarães’ past but also as a testament to its ongoing cultural and social vibrancy.

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