Guimaraes was the first capital of Portugal, and it is also called 'the Place of Birth of the Portuguese Nation'. The reason for this is that it was the hometown of the first king of Portugal, Don Afonso Henriques, and many important events that led to the independence of our country happened in Guimaraes.
The town is a great place to visit. It has an historical centre with many old houses and monuments.
With its historical center declared recently a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Guimarães adds this mark of honour to another title it displays by right, that of birthplace of the nation. Its proud and dominating castle was where Portugal´s first king, Afonso Henriques, was born in the 12th century.
The newly distinguished historical center is extremely well preserved and the narrow streets of the Medieval quarter are lined with old houses embellished by ornate balconies and statuary, leading to the beautiful main square, the
Largo da Oliveira. The Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (15th century), the magnificent monastery and church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira (with the Alberto Sampaio Museum housed in the beautiful Romanesque cloister), the 14th-century Padrão do Salado (a Gothic shrine) or the elegant church of St. Francis, with its dazzling 18th-century decorated tiles, are only some of the many monuments to admire.
At about 5 km (3 miles) from the city, the former monastery of Santa Marinha da Costa (12th century) is one of the country´s most sumptuous pousadas (state-run inns), with the gardens and the chapel open to the public.
The Iron Age settlement of Citânia de Briteiros 15 km, 9 miles, North of Guimarães) is one of Portugal´s most interesting archaeological sites.
Otherwise, the county is characterized by its industrialization, agriculture (corn, wine, potatoes and beans), carefully preserved recipes of sweet things and the traditional joy and merrymaking of the Minho region, visible in numerous festivities.
During the first week of August, the Festas Gualterianas, at Guimarães, are a festival of Medieval art and costumes.
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