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Bragança History
The first known name "Juliobriga" was given by the Romans when it was only a
small fortified village. Bragança grew in importance due to its location and rich agriculture so this
fortification was improved upon especially in the time of King Dom Afonso I who
constructed a proper walled citadel for his brother-in-law Fernão Mendes.
Completed around 1130 the place was then renamed "Brigantia". King Afonso IX of
León occupied the town and soon King Sancho I retook possession and built the
castle that still remains. This town also gave its name to the last in the royal
Portuguese lineage, the House of Bragança, that descended from the an
illegitimate son of Dom João I who was created a Duke in 1442. The tower of the
castle was to become a place of imprisonment or refuge for many historic
personages including Dona Sancho, the unfortunate wife of its constructor. The
town played its strategic part in many battles between the two Kingdoms of
Portugal and Spain. It was also the location in which General Sepúlveda in 1808
called upon the local inhabitants to resist against the invasion of the French
forces.
Bragança Description
The citadel has been well preserved throughout the centuries and within its
walls are various historic items of interest. The 12th Century “Domus
Municipalis” which until the 16th Century was used as a reservoir for water and
then converted into a building that was used as a civic court for disputes
between tradesmen and landowners. The manner in which the arguments were settled
is left to the imagination. Nearby is the Church of Santa Maria that was
extensively reconstructed in the 18th Century from the original building dating
back to 1580. The first church was named Nossa Senhora do Sardão (Our Lady of
the Green Lizard!), the creature said to protect the inhabitants from the Moors.
Close to the walls of the castle in the adjoining garden is a medieval pillory
in the unusual shape of a pig being skewered which dates back to Celtic period.
Outside the walls in the Rua dos Fornos is the Jewish quarter that was formed by
Jews fleeing from Spain and North Africa in the 15th Century. They were
responsible for starting the local silk industry. In the Museu do Abade de Baçal
is a variety of items including some medieval torture instruments and in the
gardens outside some archaeological finds are on display including tablets with
Luso-Roman inscriptions. The Church of São Vicente is reputed to be the location
in which the secret wedding of King Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro took place.
Originally a 13th Century structure it was rebuilt in the 17th Century with
several rich adornments. The Church of São Bento dates back to the 16th Century
with some 18th Century additions.
Bragança Nearby Locations
Of outstanding natural beauty is the national park of Montesinho that lies to
the north of Bragança. This reserve covers some 70.000 hectares of wild terrain
basically unspoilt by modern humanity. Locally termed Terra Fria (Cold Land),
the Park rises to a mountain range touching 1.481 metres. Vegetation is sparse
on the upper slopes that then descend into valleys of oak, willow and alder
trees. Wildlife in the shape of golden eagles, falcons, wolves, otters and wild
boar still enjoy their freedom. The quaint typical village of Vinhais lying to
the west of Bragança is an ideal location to obtain the spectacular panoramic
views of this Park. Horses and mountain bikes can be hired locally. The
“Dovecotes” of the area with their horseshoe shaped roofs are a realistic
reminder of medieval times. They are specially built dove houses that as well as
being a form of food also provide fertilizer droppings for growing crops.
Between Bragança and Vinhais is the Mosteiro de Castro de Avelãs dating from the
12th Century but now virtually in ruins. This monastery held the main religious
power in the region during its heyday.
To the east of Bragança is the small town of Babe. It was here in 1387 that the
Portuguese King João I made the "Treaty of Babe" with John of Gaunt of England
who agreed to relinquish any desires for claim on the throne of Portugal upon
the marriage of his daughter Filipa to João I.
To the south east of Bragança is the historic town of Miranda do Douro that sits
above the gorge of the Rio Douro on the border of Spain. Due to its strategic
position it suffered an uneasy history including an explosion of its gunpowder
store in 1762. This event virtually destroyed the castle and much of the town
and many of its inhabitants. Unfortunately, at the time the town was surrounded
by a French army of some 30,000 who quickly took advantage of the situation.
From this date onwards its importance as a point of defence against invading
armies was discarded.
On the road southwest and halfway between Bragança and Vila Real is the town of
Mirandela. In 1433 the town grew in importance when it was given by King Manuel
to his trusted aide Álvares Pires de Távora. However, the Távora family was
later to fell foul of the Marquês de Pombal and the royal family who ordered the
complete Távora family to be executed in 1758 for plotting treason against the
then King José I.
To the south of Bragança in the region known as Trás-os-Montes, there
is the quaint typical village of Chacim whose history is linked to a legend
dating from the 9th Century that is still celebrated today. The villagers rose
up in revolt against the ancient practiced right of "jus primae noctis" (the
local nobleman taking the bride on her wedding night). Assisted by a mysterious
woman the villagers successfully slaughtered the offending lord and his
servants. Nearby is the Spa Caldas de Albelheira. Further to the south is Vila
Flor, a small town with an attractive atmosphere with ruins of its 13th Century
castle and close to another Spa, Aquas Bem Saúde. Southwards is Torre de
Moncorvo that has the largest 16th Century Church in the whole province and near
this town is the Vale do Cõa that boasts the world’s largest known collection of
open-air Stone Age drawings that are estimated to be about 20.000 years old.
These drawings feature bulls, horses, fish and a naked man and the area can be
visited with the assistance of a guide.
Bragança Map (Click Here)
Bragança Weather
     
Bragança Golf
Montebelo ·
Vidago
Bragança Information
 273 304 200 - Town Hall
273 300 210 - Fire Brigade
273 303 400 - Police
273 331 864 - Transit Police
273 331 233 - Emergency Treatment
273 310 800 - Hospital
273 381 273 - Tourist Office
808 208 208 - Railways (CP)
800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
Bragança Events
Feira das Cantarinhas - 2nd to 4th May
Carníssima - May
Romaria Nª Sra da Ribeira - Last weekend of May
Feira de S. Bartolomeu - 17th until 25th August
Norcaça - October
Honey Fair - Weekends of December
Market Day - 3rd, 12th & 21st of each month
Town Holiday - 22nd August
Bragança Locations of Interest
Military Museum of Bragança
Museum of Abade de Baçal
Museum of Dr Belarmino Afonso
Museum of Masks and Costume
Museum Railway Museum
Castle and Torre da Princesa
Capela da Casa da Misericórdia (Chapel)
City Walls
Convento da Santa Maria
Convento de São Bento
Solar dos Calainhos
Solar dos Pimentéis
Solar dos Sá Vargas
Torre de Menagem (Tower)
Archaeological Site - Pov. Castro São Juzenda (Mirandela)
Archaeological Site - (Vimioso)
Castle - (Algoso)
Castle - (Ansiães)
Castle - (Freixo de Espada à Cinta)
Castle - (Mogadouro)
Castle - (Vinhais)
Caves de Penacova - (Algosinho)
Church - (Freixo de Espada à Cinta)
Church - (Miranda do Douro)
Church - (Vila Flor)
Convento de Guimarães - (Freixo de Numão)
Convento de São Francisco de Assis - (Mogadouro)
Home - Casa Grande (Freixo de Numão)
Home - Solar dos Condes de Vinhais (Vinhais)
Home - Solar da Corujeira (Vinhais)
Palácio dos Aguilares - (Vila Flor)
Roman Villa - (Freixo de Numão)
Town - (Freixo de Espada à Cinta)
Town - (Torre de Moncorvo)
Town - (Vila Flor)
Town - (Vinhais)
Village - (Chacim)
Village - (Freixo de Numão)
Village - (Romeu)
Nature Park da Serra de Montesinho
Nature Park da Serra da Coroa
Zoo Park - (Peneireiro)
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