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Abroad, Braga, Portugal

Holy Braga

posted by Dario
May 4, 2021 540 0 0
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The adventure of being Portuguese #Braga

Walking around northern Portugal, I had in mind several cities that I had heard good reviews of (Porto, Guimaraes, Aveiro) – Braga was one of them. The only problem we had was the unfavorable weather conditions but that didn’t stop us from seeing the main sights here.

I knew a few things about Braga – it is located 53 km from Porto, the fifth largest city in the country and it houses the oldest cathedral. It is considered the religious center of Portugal and there are reports that this part of Europe has been inhabited since the Neolithic, which undoubtedly affected the history and culture of this area.

But what is Braga nowadays? Take a walk with me on our one-day rain adventure.

Walk in Braga

Table of Contents

  • Through the streets of Braga
  • Bom Jesus do Monte
  • Sé de Braga
  • Arco da Porta Nova

Through the streets of Braga

With a thousand-year history, Braga is distinguished by its well-preserved Baroque architecture, numerous Gothic churches and beautiful squares. That is why it is an interesting tourist destination that has a culture and history. In this way, Braga easily gives birth to that typical mixture of past and present, which turns it into a charming city.

Braga

I mentioned above that Braga is considered the religious center of Portugal and for good reason, it is believed that there are more than 90 religious structures in the city, which to this day function as churches, cathedrals, museums and even as educational centers.

It is a curious fact that in 2012 Braga was declared the European Youth Capital of Europe, exactly six years before Cascais.

But let’s pay attention to the main attractions of the city, as you might guess they are religious temples that impress with their bold and unique architecture.

Църквите на Брага
Сградите на Брага
Архитектура на Брага
Улиците на Брага

Bom Jesus do Monte

I admit that I missed one or two cathedrals in my travels, preferring instead to visit a museum or just to wander aimlessly through the streets of the city. But from time to time something we don’t usually visit or see surprises us and we are glad that we managed to give it a chance. This happened to me in Braga in the amazing sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.

Bom Jesus do Monte stairs

Bom Jesus do Monte is far from the typical church or cathedral. In fact, it is classified as a sanctuary and is huge – it is the most photographed church in Portugal. It is famous for its intricate zigzag stairs (577 in number) in Baroque style, which lead to the main church.

Bom Jesus do Monte панорама
Braga
Bom Jesus do Monte година

Some interesting facts about the place:

Its name means Good Jesus from the mountain.

It is located higher than Braga.

The giant baroque staircase is 116 meters high.

In the 14th century there was already a chapel here, but the current sanctuary dates from the 18th century.

The three fountains on a zigzag staircase represent the 3 Christian virtues: Faith, Hope and Love.

The church was built next to a small basilica.

From the church you have great views of the region.

While the beautiful staircase is the most impressive part of Bom Jesus, the church at the top of the hill is also worth a visit. Especially after climbing more than 500 steps to get there. Built in 1784 and 1834, it is a great example of neoclassical style. The accent of the church is the main altar, depicting the scene of the crucifixion.

Bom Jesus do Monte church

Bom Jesus do Monte таван
Bom Jesus do Monte вътре

Sé de Braga

In Braga, they use a popular saying that is something like: “Older than Braga Cathedral” and it is not used by accident! This is the oldest cathedral in the country.

Built between 1070 and 1093 on the ruins of a Roman temple, the Sé de Braga has undergone many changes over the years. Today’s style is a mixture of Gothic and Baroque. Inside there is a museum with a collection of relics and other historical artifacts.

Cathedral of Braga

Sé Catedral is one of the most visited monuments in the city of Braga and has been classified as a national monument since 1910. It is considered the center of episcopal radiation and one of the most important Romanesque temples in the country. This monument houses the famous tombs of Henry of Burgundy, Count of Portugal, and his wife Teresa de Leon, parents of D. Afonso Enriquez, founder and first king of Portugal. The tombs can be visited in the chapel of the kings.

The church last underwent the most serious renovations between 1996 and 1998. At that time, the foundations and the durability of the structure from various weather conditions improved significantly. In this way, the citizens of the city and the visitors can admire for a long time this truly impressive, from a historical point of view, cultural and significant monument.

Arco da Porta Nova

The arch was built in 1512 by order of Archbishop D. Diogo de Souza. Because there had been no wars for years, the arch had no doors to close at night, unlike other city gates. This was the first city gate, which did not lead to a road, but to a square and a fountain.

The arch was renovated in 1722, giving it the look that can be seen today. The facade facing the city shows the image of the Virgin Mary of Nazareth.

The place has an interesting Portuguese belief: since this is the first gate that has no door, it is said that the people who do not close the door behind them are from Braga.

Арка на Брага - отзад
Арка на Брага - отпред

I visited Braga with little expectations, and left it with a lot of new knowledge and impressions. And it is at such moments that I remind myself that there are never bad destinations, only unvisited ones. I hope that with this article I have shown you a different and curious side of tourism and I have motivated you one day to visit this treasure of Portugal.

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Guimaraes, the first capital of Portugal

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Aveiro, the sunny corner of Portugal

About me

Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Since soon I will celebrate my 30th birthday, I’ve been reflecting back to the person I was when I entered my twenties, and while I still feel young at heart, I’ve evolved into a completely different person.

I must confess, I have mixed feelings about turning 30. While I cherish the memories and experiences I have gathered during this time, I have also however, had my share of setbacks. The most important aspect that has inspired me are the experiences that I have gathered during my travels. Meeting new people, understanding their culture and trying new cuisines have changed my perspective towards life in general. While I am still a child somewhere in my heart, turning 30 is a big deal because it is assumed that I am an adult now.

Here are my 30 most precious travel experiences before turning 30:

1. Exploring my home country.
2. Travelling solo.
3. Supporting small local businesses and entrepreneurs.
4. Learning a foreign language.
5. Saving money for traveling.
6. Making friends while traveling.
7. Cooking traditional dishes.
8. Trying traditional food everywhere I go.
9. Overcoming my fear.
10. Trying something new.
11. Travelling with family.
12. Travelling with friends.
13. Travelling for myself and not social media.
14. Going out my comfort zone -  uncomfortable makes life more comfortable.
15. Living in a foreign country.
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17. Visiting my (some of) dream destinations.
18. Falling in love in a foreign country.
19. Blending in with different cultures.
20. Taking a piece of every place with me.
21. Learning to say no (in different languages).
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23. Documenting my trips.
24. Valuing experiences.
25. Making memories.
26. Rediscovering my favourite places.
27. Planning elaborate itineraries
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Your positive friendly reminder… Travel is, at Your positive friendly reminder…

Travel is, at its very essence, a tool – nothing more… nothing less. Broken down to its very essence, it becomes an instrument to fulfil our desires, attain new experiences and to discover a difference that is at least a step away from our local surroundings.

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✔️ Traveling is saying yes to life.
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✔️ About the unknown driving force.
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✔️ Always a stranger, but at home in the world.
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Dear Portugal, I would never have pointed to a ma Dear Portugal,

I would never have pointed to a map and picked you. I wasn’t sure we would even like each other. I came with only a few belongings and even fewer expectations. But I had the desire to get to know you and see if I would stay. And like two people making an acquaintance at a dinner party, we searched for commonalities: exploring, an insatiable appetite for rice and seafood, a bond to the earth and the sea.

At first I fell for the little things. The promise of discovering new things every single day. That dazed feeling after a few glasses of fruity vinho verde. The melancholy while listening to Fado music. The rissois, natas and feijoada, the melt-in-your-mouth queijo fresco, delectable sardinha and unforgettable bacalhau. And surprisingly, even lamprey and percebe.

I loved the quiet irony of your lavish, impressive buildings next to your ancient, dilapidated houses. I even adored your temperamental weather, sunny in the morning and sometimes tempestuous in the afternoon.

And I loved your people. The grandmas dressed in black with their soft faces and culinary secrets. The fishermen with their old fashioned hats. The shopkeepers who actually mean it when they say “obrigada.”

And then I began to love you for your words, and the new feelings they gave name to.  For that elusive feeling of saudade –– untranslatable but described so accurately by the Portuguese writer Manuel de Melo: “a pleasure you suffer, an ailment you enjoy.” Or the chamego — the sense of intimacy, infatuation, and cuddling, all in one word.

Of course, there are things about you that I will probably never understand. You’re an old soul and I’m too juvenile. I’m impulsive whereas you are cautious and pensive. I have this incessant desire to be happy, but you have this habit of enjoying being triste.

But I’ve lived many lives in different parts of the world, I’ve been running around, not caring where I rest my head, not knowing where I’d end up. Perhaps I met you, Portugal, because something inside me had really been crying out for stillness, for a safe haven where I could finally become myself.

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