Those who visit Portugal, especially the North should not miss two of the most vibrant and curious cities: Braga and Guimarães.

Braga

Braga is one of the old Portuguese cities, it´s birth came from Roman times when it was called Bracara Augusta, and it is one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. It is true that Braga is a destination for religious tourism of excellence and that Bom Jesus is an important landmark in this city, but there is so much to discover.

Braga Cathedral is considered the oldest cathedral in Portugal. Also called Santa Maria de Braga Cathedral, it was the first Portuguese cathedral, built before the foundation of this country in the 12th century, by the parents of the first King of Portugal, D. Henrique and D. Teresa. Its origins date back to the century. XI and throughout its 900 years of history has undergone several changes through the mixture of architectural styles such as Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque that emblesh this magnificent temple. Braga Cathedral is classified as a National Monument.

When you visit the Cathedral, do not miss the Sé Treasury Museum, which has an extensive collection that includes goldsmithing, sculpture, painting, textiles and furniture, as well as a century-old custody. Eighteenth in gilded silver with 450 diamonds. Here you will also find the cross that was used at the first mass celebrated in Brazil, carried by Pedro Álvares Cabral.

If you visit Braga for a day, we recommend that you visit the Sameiro Sanctuary in addition to Bom Jesus do Monte. Sameiro Sanctuary is the most important Marian place of worship in Portugal, after Fatima.

Before entering the sanctuary and marveling at its interior, take a moment to admire the four angel statues in front of the Rectory and the House of Estampas: the three Archangels Saint Gabriel, Saint Michael, Saint Raphael and the Angel de Guarda de Portugal.

Being the capital of the Minho region, and hosting University of Minho you can also expect to find a dynamic city full of young people, daytime activities, and rich nightlife.

Guimarães

Guimarães, and its famous castle and Oliveira monastery, have been around since the 10th century, even before Portucalense County even existed. It all starts when a widowed countess, Mumadona Dias of her name, builds a monastery on her Vimaranes estate. Moors and Normans dispute the land, and just as necessity is the mother of the mill, defense is the mother of the castles. A Noble called Vimara Peres is also associated with the city, and maybe the actual name is a derivative of the character.

It is worth to visit Guimarães because it is a unique city in Portugal, with a strong identity, sense of roots, and vibrant, day or night. It is here that it is presumed that D. Afonso Henriques was born. It was he who took over the leadership of Condado Portucalense and won the Battle of São Mamede. For this reason, almost all the sights of Guimarães are related to the history of the city.

The historical importance of the Foundation Castle or São Mamede Castle, as the Guimarães Castle is also known, is very meaningful, so it is best to visit it.

The historic center of Guimarães was classified as a World Heritage Site in 2001. Since then the Largo de Oliveira and Santiago have been the epicenter of the city. It is a must and must-see place for any visit. Surrounded by centuries-old buildings, walking on these granite sidewalks is like walking through the history of Portugal. The Salado Standard, the medieval building facades and Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church makes Oliveira square one of the most beautiful in the country.

Furthermore, in recent years, it became a vibrant city with many cultural events. Music, Theatre, Movie Festivals are some of the events one can enjoy on countless buildings in the city dedicated to arts and sciences. Private or public. It was European Capital of Culture in 2012 and this boosted its cultural life.

Other places to visit in the city are the Santo António dos Capuchos Convent, the Alberto Sampaio Museum, the Vila Flor Cultural Center and the S. Miguel Chapel, where it is reported that D. Afonso Henriques became the first King of Portugal. You can also go up hill, by cable car, to Penha. It´s perfect for sightseeing and it´s a great viewpoint to the city. Take your camera if you go there.

There are more places and monuments that can be visited in these two cities if time is not scarce. Escape the hustle and bustle of big cities and tour to Braga and Guimarães. Both are excellent cities to visit with friends and family. Gems of Minho, region in the north of Portugal.