| Braga | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms and flag   | ||
| State | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Norte | |
| Inhabitants | 175.063 (2007) | |
| Prefix tel | 351 253 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 4700 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Braga is a city of North of the Portugal, located in the region Minho.
To know
After Port it is the second most important city in the north (preceded by number of inhabitants by Vila Nova de Gaia, a suburb of Porto, and by Porto itself). It is an important agricultural and industrial center of the region. Ancient primatial of Portugal, it is called the "Rome Portuguese ", and is also a university. In 2012 it was the" European Youth Capital "proving to have a solid programming of policies and activities aimed at the younger generations.
Braga: old railway station
Background
Important Roman settlement, in the 1st century BC. was the main center of Gallaecia with the name of Bracara Augusta, in the 5th century AD. it became the capital of the kingdom of Galicia and was the first bishopric of the whole Iberian peninsula. In the 8th century it was occupied by the Arabs and was reconquered in 1040. It then became the primary seat of the kingdom of Castile until the independence of Portugal from the Spanish and was governed by the archbishops until the end of the 18th century. Subsequently, the history of Braga was that of Portugal without any particular protagonism.
How to orient yourself
41 ° 32′58 ″ N 8 ° 25′33 ″ W.
BragaThe center of Braga ideally develops for about one kilometer around the city's cathedral (Sé). It is quite easy to find your way around, given the size of the city center. The historic center is therefore easily reachable both from the bus station (where daily buses arrive from Porto), which is located a few hundred meters north of the center, and from the train station, also close to the center. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, on the other hand, for which many go to Braga, is located 7 km outside the city.
How to get
By plane
- Braga does not have an airport. The closest is the Francisco de Sá Carneiro of Porto, about 55 km. The bus company Get Bus connects the airport with the Braga bus station in 50 minutes, for the price of € 8 Tickets can also be purchased online on their website From Italy, there are the following direct connections (managed by Ryanir) to Porto airport: Bologna (from March 2018); Bergamo Orio al Serio; Milan Malpensa; Naples; Rome Ciampino.
- Alternatively, you can fly on Vigo (airport Vigo-Peinador). The city of Vigo is connected to Braga by a bus service, operated by Flixbus with a travel time of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
On the train
Railway station
- 1 Braga station (Estação Ferroviária de Braga), Largo da Estação.
By bus
- 2 Intercity bus station (Rodoviária D'Entre Douro And Minho), Praça Estação Rodoviária.
How to get around
By public transport
Public transport consists of about eighty bus lines managed by the company TUB (Transportes Urbanos de Braga).
What see
- Episcopal palace. It dates back to the 14th-18th century.
- 1 Torre de Menagem. From the fourteenth century is what remains of the ancient medieval walls that enclosed the ancient center of the city.
- 2 House of the Sieves (Casa dos Crivos), Rua de São Marcos 37, ☎ 351 253 615 288.
Tue-Fri 10: 00-13: 00 and 15: 00-18: 00. Sat-Sun 15: 00-18: 00. A typical example of a 16th century building used as a civil residence. Today it houses the Civic Gallery which hosts temporary exhibitions. - Museu de Arte Sacra. Among the many objects of sacred art it also contains the Treasury of the cathedral, rich in precious objects.
Tue-Fri 10: 00-13: 00 and 15: 00-18: 00. Sat-Sun 15: 00-18: 00. A typical example of a 16th century building used as a civil residence. Today it houses the Civic Gallery which hosts temporary exhibitions.- 3 Museu dos Biscainhos. Located in an eighteenth century building and is dedicated to the decorative arts. The garden is beautiful, an example of a baroque arrangement of a garden.
- 4 Museu by Imagem, Campo das Hortas 35, ☎ 351 253 278 633.
- 5 Museu Nogueira da Silva, Avenida Central 61, ☎ 351 253 601 275. Tue-Fri 09: 00-18: 00.
- 6 Seminário de São Tiago. Large eighteenth-century building, it houses the Museu Pius XII of sacred art, the archaeological museum and the Museu Medina with a collection of paintings by Henrique Medina.
- 7 Source do Ídolo, Rua do Raio (São José de São Lázaro).
- Arqueológica area. It includes the excavations of the ancient Roman city.
Religious architectures
- 8 Braga Cathedral (Sé Catedral de Braga) (Self). The cathedral founded by Henry of Burgundy is primatial of Spain. Built in Romanesque style in the 11th century it has undergone several successive modifications so that today it retains few traces of the original building.
- Capela da Glória. From 1330 with frescoed walls, artesonado ceiling and the sculpted sarcophagus of Archbishop Gonçalo Pereira with a recumbent statue and bas-reliefs.
- Capela de São Gerardo. Dedicated to San Gerardo first bishop of Braga.
- 9 Igreja da Misericórdia (Self).
- 10 Santuário do Sameiro (Espinho).
- 11 Basílica dos Congregados (São José de São Lázaro).
- 12 Igreja dos Terceiros (São José de São Lázaro).
- 13 Igreja da Penha (São José de São Lázaro).
- 14 Igreja do Carmo (São Vicente).
- 15 Igreja de Sao Vicente (São Vicente).
- 16 Igreja de São João do Souto (São João do Souto).
- 17 Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Capela and Casa dos Coimbras). A chapel attached to the Church of São João de Souto in the shape of a Gothic style tower dating from 1525.
- 18 Igreja do Pópulo (São João do Souto). A church that was part of a convent complex now occupied by the Municipality. Erected at the end of the sixteenth century it has been remodeled in Baroque style.
- 19 Igreja de Santa Cruz (São João do Souto).
- 20 Igreja de São Marcos (São João do Souto).
- 21 Convento do Salvador (São João do Souto).
- 22 Igreja da Lapa (São João do Souto).
- 23 Igreja de São Victor (São Vítor).
- 24 Igreja Senhora-a-Branca (São Vítor).
- 25 Igreja de Santa Eulália (Tenões).
Events and parties
- Holy Week. For San Giovanni, from 23 to 25 June. With sumptuous ceremonies and processions. These ceremonies and festivals are among the best known in Portugal and also attract people from other neighboring areas.
- Bananeiro. On the evening of Christmas Eve. It is a tradition for the inhabitants of Braga to gather in the streets of the center on Christmas Eve, especially around the alcohol shop. Casa das Bananas and eat a banana while sipping sweet Moscatel wine. The curious event attracts thousands of people.
What to do
Shopping
Shopping Braga Parque
- 1 Braga Parque, Rua dos Congregados 1, ☎ 351 253 250 360. Mon-Sun 10 am-11pm.
How to have fun
Shows
- 1 Theatro Circo, Avenida da Liberdade n.º 697 (São Lázaro). A nice opera house from 1915, also for concerts, theatrical performance, etc.
- 2 Forum Braga, Avenida Dr. Francisco Pires Gonçalves, ☎ 351 253 208 230.
- 3 Municipal stadium (Estádio Municipal), Rua de Montecastro (Parque Norte), ☎ 351 253 206 860.
Night clubs
- 4 Carpe Noctem, Rua dos Peões 44 (Near the University, follow the main street which is Rua Nova de Santa Cruz), ☎ 351 932 119 177.
beer € 1.50, Portuguese white wine € 2. Bar / pub frequented mainly by students and under-35s in general, both Portuguese and Erasmus. Very lively every night of the week. Commercial music (after a certain hour, some days of the week, you can also dance in the small dance floor). - 5 SETRA, Rua de São João nº15, ☎ 351 919 428 401. Mon-Sun 17: 00-23: 00.
beer € 1.50, Portuguese white wine € 2. Bar / pub frequented mainly by students and under-35s in general, both Portuguese and Erasmus. Very lively every night of the week. Commercial music (after a certain hour, some days of the week, you can also dance in the small dance floor).Historic premises
- 6 Café Vianna, Praça da República. Coffee bar in operation since 1858.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- 1 Restaurante Gosto Superior, Praça Mouzinho de Albuquerque 29, ☎ 351 253 217 681. Mon-Sun 12: 00-15: 00 and 19: 30-22: 30. Vegetarian restaurant.
- 2 Restaurante Santo Andre, Rua St. André 81 (At the back of the avenida mall). From 4 to 18 euros per course. A complete and abundant dinner can be made for less than 12 € (August 2015). Mon-Sat 11: 00-23: 00. Trattoria frequented by locals with generous portions. Just to give an example, with half a portion of rice you can eat easily in two, the cod, which is really very good, is enough for 2/3 people (although there is little fish and a lot of seasoning). Friendly staff with menus in various languages, each with its funny translation errors, such as "vintage fruit" instead of "seasonal fruit".
- 3 Retrokitchen, Rua do Anjo 96, ☎ 351 253 267 023. Mon 12: 00-14: 30 and 20: 00-22: 30, Wed-Sat 12: 00-14: 30 and 20: 00-22: 30.
- 4 Tasquinha Bracarense, Rua Nova de Santa Cruz 32 (In the area between the Braga Parque shopping center and the University), ☎ 351 253 283 123, 351 924 151 329 (Cell.). 10-12 € for a full meal (January 2017). Mon-Sat 11: 00-22: 00. Trattoria frequented mainly by university students and university staff. The prices are cheap and the dishes are simple, generally in the Portuguese tradition but not only.
Average prices
- 5 Restaurant Velhos Tempos, Rua do Carmo 7, ☎ 351 253 214 368. Mon-Sat 12: 00-14: 30 and 20: 00-22: 30.
- 6 Bira dos Namorados, Rua Dom Gonçalo Pereira 85, ☎ 351 253 039 571.
High prices
- 7 Arcoense, Rua Engenheiro José Justino de Amorim 96, ☎ 351 253 278 952.
Where stay
Average prices
- Albergaria Bracara Augusta ****, ☎ 351 253 206 260, fax: 351 253 206 269.
- Quinta de Infias ****, Largo de Infias, ☎ 351 253 209 500.
- Albergaria da Sé ****, Rua D. Gonçalo Pereira, 39 to 51 4700-032 Braga - Portugal, ☎ 351 253 214 502.
Safety
The city is safe enough for the tourist. However, it is recommended to pay attention, especially around the railway station and the bus station.
How to keep in touch
Around
- 26 Basílica do Bom Jesus Sanctuary (Tenões). - Baroque sanctuary 7 km away on a hill, accessed by a spectacular staircase adorned with fountains and allegorical statues. The sanctuary can be reached on foot, by public transport, or even by taxi (for about € 12).
- 27 Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montelios. - At 3 km with the mother church on a hill on which there was an ancient convent, next to the church a small Roman-Byzantine church from the 7th century, one of the few examples of Visigoth architecture.
- 28 Mosteiro de Tibães (Tibães). - Ancient Benedictine convent rebuilt in the 17th-18th centuries, 6.5 km away.
- 29 Igreja de Santa Maria Madalena. National Monument.
