Top Things to do in Braga District
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The 5 Best Castles in Braga District, Northern Portugal
Discover the best top things to do in Braga District, Portugal including Paco dos Duques de Braganca, Paco dos Condes de Barcelos, Castelo de Lanhoso, Castle of Arnoia, Guimaraes Castle.
Restaurants in Braga District
1. Paco dos Duques de Braganca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,845 reviews
Reviewed By iolandaa21 - Lisbon, Portugal
Built in the first quarter of the 15th century its inner space is divided in several rooms, whose artifacts are just stunning - such as those in the Banquet Hall or the Hall of the lost steps, to mention just a few. The roof designed as the interior wooden keel of a boat is worth being admired. I was fortunate enough to have equally watched a temporary exhibit on Medieval torture instruments in one of the upper floor rooms.
2. Paco dos Condes de Barcelos
3. Castelo de Lanhoso
4. Castle of Arnoia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
A Romanesque Castle overlooking the ancient land of Basto. It stands out from the landscape as a rocky fortress, with highlight to its keep, the square turret and the cistern. Below, the old town of Basto (currently known as village of Castelo) - with its pillory, audience house and apothecary (pharmacy) - reminds us of the period when this was a busy place due to the road that connected the Sousa to the Tâmega. This castle is part of the Route of the Romanesque.
5. Guimaraes Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,498 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
Guimaraes castle became my last of the seven wonders of Portugal after the Ierónimos Monastery, Tower of Belem, Pena Palace, the Castle of Obidos, Alcobaça Monastery and Batalha Monastery. Interestingly, among the 7 wonders identified by the survey of citizens of the country, it is the oldest, but took first place in terms of the number of votes. This is logical, because the castle is considered the birthplace of Portugal. Afonso I the Great, the first king of Portugal, was born in the castle in 1109, and 19 years later won a victory near Guimaraes over the troops of his mother Teresa, freeing Portugal from dependence on Leon and Castile. However, the fortress on the hill of Monte Largo, on the site of today's Guimaraes Castle, has existed since the seventh century-since the time of the Visigoths. The castle was built three centuries later on the orders of the Countess of Portugal Mumadona Dias to protect against the Moors from the south and the Vikings from the sea. Surprisingly, this order, dated December 958, has survived to this day. The castle itself consisted of only a single donjon surrounded by a defensive wall.The whole village was surrounded by a 2 km defensive wall in the XIV century . Eight 28-meter towers with gates controlled access to the castle. Today, only the eastern 1-km section with four towers and several gates has been preserved from the old city wall. There is also a suspended wooden bridge connecting the western wall and the central gate. It takes only 10 minutes to get to the First Miracle of Portugal from the center. The castle is open from 10 to 18. The pleasure of going inside, climbing the walls and taking a photo of the city costs only 2€. Agree, this is not much...
