We reach Guimarães by bus, the city is the birthplace of Portugal. On the journey from Bom Jesus do Monte to Braga, a friendly, helpful bus driver shows us where to get off and where to find the bus terminal.
In Guimarães, the journey ends at a large bus terminal a little west of the city center. We continue by cab to Largo República do Brasil and walk along the narrow street R. Alfredo Guimarães to Largo da Oliveira.
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More InformationVideo Guimaraes, Music by Johannes Kayser
This square is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings and filled with tables and chairs from restaurants and cafés. This is where part of the city’s life takes place.
The Padrão do Salado was erected on the edge of the square. A rather simple monument donated by King Afonso IV of Portugal (the Brave) after the Battle of the Río Salado. King Alfonso XI of Castile (the Avenger) had asked Afonso IV of Portugal for support to repel the Moorish superiority in their attempt to invade.
Directly adjacent to this square is the second large square, Praça de São Tiago. Another part of life takes place in this city. The architecture and atmosphere is as beautiful as at the Largo da Oliveira.
We pass the Antigo Convento de Santa Clara, a former convent where the city council now meets.
Another former convent is on our way, the Convento de Santo António dos Capuchos. Then we reach the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, Paço dos Duques de Bragança.
The palace built in 1420 bears witness to the wealth of these dukes. We visit the palace, but unfortunately we are not allowed to film, but we can take photos. You can find the photos together with other photos from our visit to the city in our Guimarães photo gallery.
The Dukes of Braganza settled in the Castelo de Vila Viçosa in the district of Évora in the Alentejo in 1461. Construction of the ducal palace began there in 1502. Interrupted by various trips into exile (Castile, Brazil, London), the Castelo de Vila Viçosa was essentially the summer residence of the noble house of Braganza and thus, of the Kingdom of Portugal, from 1640 to 1910.
At the Palace Duques de Bragança we learned that the castle, Castelo de Guimarães, which is located above the palace, is currently closed for restoration work, which is why we decided not to visit. Afonso I of Portugal is said to have been born in this castle between 1106 and 1111. He is considered the first king (1140) and founder (1143) of Portugal.
On the way back, we pass the Tribunal Judicial, the Palace of Justice of Guimarães, and finally arrive at our starting point, the Largo República do Brasil. This elongated square is also a green park bordered by a fountain to the northwest and the 18th century baroque church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolação e Santos Passos, to the southeast.
From the square, the remains of the original city wall, the Muralha de Guimarães, can be clearly seen.
On the corner of Largo do Toural, we discover the well-known inscription “aqui nasceu Portugal” (Portugal was born here) on a former defense tower. Today, the large square is now the actual center of Guimarães. The magnificent buildings underline this. This was originally a marketplace for various items and a livestock market.
On the way to the bus station, we ask a friendly bus driver for the best direction. He points along Av. Dom Afonso Henriques, heading south. At about the height of Bairro C, it seemed a little strange to us that there was no sign of a bus station, and we asked a couple who happened to be passing by again.
After we explain to this couple that we want to get to the bus station to go back to Porto, they say that the bus driver probably meant the train station, which is not far away. They then offer to drive us to the bus station in their car. We gladly accept, but we haven’t expected so much friendliness! It strengthens our impression that the people in northern Portugal are particularly friendly!
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