Explore the ancient city of Guimarães

From this city, he led his conquering army to unify the nation. Guimarães is known as the "cradle of Portugal" and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ancient city of Guimarães.

Ancient city

Guimarães is a typical medieval city, and tourists should explore its winding alleyways on foot. Visitors should start from the ancient city walls that surrounded the center. After Afonso I declared the independent Kingdom of Portugal in 1139, he built the city walls around Guimarães. Today, only a section of the wall remains standing, topped with a plaque that reads "Aqui nasceu Portugal" (meaning "Portugal was born here").

The "heart" of Guimarães is the castle of the same name. Built in the 10th century, Guimarães Castle sits atop a hill overlooking the city. Beyond its architectural value, the castle houses a bronze statue of King Afonso I, created by the renowned sculptor Antonio Soares dos Reis (1847-1889). King Afonso I was born and raised in this castle.

Not far from Guimarães Castle is the palace of the Duke of Barcelona, ​​Braganza (1377-1461). After centuries of abandonment, the palace was not renovated until the early 20th century. Today, the Braganza Palace serves as both a museum and the official residence of the Portuguese president when he travels to the north of the country. Visitors to the palace are fascinated by the blend of architectural styles found there.

Another important historical landmark in Guimarães is the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira church. Inaugurated during the reign of King Afonso I, the church has undergone numerous renovations. In 1928, the abandoned monastery grounds were converted into the Alberto Sampaio Museum. The museum is renowned for its vast collection of medieval Portuguese artifacts, particularly those related to the spread of Catholicism in the country.

Street life is fascinating.

Guimarães has many squares, but none are as beautiful as Largo da Oliveira. Long ago, the people of Guimarães planted many olive trees here for shade. Even now, Largo da Oliveira remains a popular spot for people to enjoy the breeze, drink coffee, and admire the surrounding ancient buildings. In the center of the square is the Padrão do Salado arch, built by King Afonso IV (1299-1336) to commemorate his victory over the invading Moorish army.

Santa Maria Street is another interesting destination in Guimarães. The street is nearly 1,000 years old and famous for its old marble houses. The narrow street is lined with many small shops selling local products. Visitors looking to buy pottery, embroidered fabrics, or silver jewelry as souvenirs can stroll along Santa Maria Street.

If you're looking for an open-air setting, head to Mount Penha. The only mountain in Guimarães, it also boasts Portugal's oldest cable car system, the Teleférico da Penha. A round-trip cable car ride costs 5 Euros and takes about 10 minutes to reach the summit; or you can hike up for 30 minutes. The views from the summit are incredibly romantic. Additionally, you'll find the Penha Cathedral – a marble church built in the Art Deco style.

On the outskirts of Guimarães lies the Citânia de Briteiros excavation site. It is one of the last remaining historical sites of the Castro culture, a Celtic people who migrated from Northern Europe to the Iberian Peninsula. Citânia de Briteiros was once a prosperous town, its stone walls still forming a labyrinthine network throughout the site. Archaeologists have unearthed numerous artifacts dating from the Bronze and Iron Ages at Citânia de Briteiros. Some of these artifacts are now on display in a museum located next to the site.

Experience it with all your senses.

Guimarães isn't widely known as a culinary city, but it is home to many Northern Portuguese specialties such as salted cod, papas de sarrabulho (pig's blood soup), and caldo verde (vegetable, potato, and onion stew). The francesinha, a grilled meat sandwich, is particularly famous in Guimarães thanks to its beer and tomato sauce.

Visitors should also not miss the exquisite Vinho Verde wine. This wine is made from young grapes and fermented directly in the bottle. It's a sparkling wine with a slight acidity, perfect as an aperitif or in cocktails.

The best time to visit Guimarães is from late November to early December each year. This is when the festival celebrating Saint Nicholas takes place. It's a festival for young people. During the festivities, they pour into the streets to feast, drink, and dance. They also cut down the tallest pine tree in the area and use ox carts to carry it through the city, followed by a procession of thousands of people beating drums and blowing trumpets.

In the final days of the festival, people light a large bonfire in the city center, distribute food to the poor, and hold readings of jokes, poems, and plays. Tourists may feel a connection between the Nicolinas festival and Christmas, as Saint Nicholas is believed to be the prototype for Santa Claus.

In recent years, the Mucho Flow electronic music festival in Guimarães has gradually established itself as a prominent event. Electronic music fans flock to Mucho Flow to enjoy the innovative and experimental works of artists from across Europe. The festival is held on the first three weekends of November each year, but visitors should book tickets and hotel accommodations at least a month in advance to avoid disappointment.

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/kham-pha-thanh-pho-co-guimaraes-192973.html