Braga, town, north-western Portugal, in Braga District, near Porto.
Points of interest include the ruins of a Roman temple, amphitheatre, and
aqueduct. The cathedral, built in the 12th century, contains relics relating to
the early history of Portugal. The palace of the archbishop contains a notable
library. Standing on a neighbouring hill is the Church of Dom Jesus do Monte,
where thousands of pilgrims gather at Whitsuntide. Braga was originally the
capital of the Bracarenses, a Celtic tribe, and was later held successively by
the Romans, Suevi, Visigoths, and Moors.
Founded by the Celts in 300 BC, a Roman administrative centre in 27 BC,
it combines the religious importance with today’s commercial and industrial
prosperity. To visit: the Cathedral, the treasury and Sacred Art Museum; the
museum at the Biscainhos Palace; and the Dom Diogo de Sousa Museum. The churches
of Misericordia, Populo and of Nossa Senhora Branca worth a visit. 2.5 miles
away from the centre, stands the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Sameiro; the
ancient monastery of Tibaes, dating back to the Suevian period and the Church of
Sao Frutuoso de Montelios.
Braga boasts of fine houses, specially from the 18th century,
and pleasant gardens, while its outskirts have known a great urban development
in the past decades.The city keeps its solemn atmosphere and many of its
traditions but has also a lively and modern commerce and style of life.
In the centre of a quite densely populated region, Braga lies between tall hills
and large fertile valleys, where fruit trees, vegetables, vineyards and corn are
extensively cultivated. Regional food is often delicious, specially sweet
recipes, like the pudim do abade de Priscos, a pudding flavoured with port,
spices and lemon.
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