With many delightful courses, pure coastal breeze from the Atlantic ocean, great fresh gastronomy and fantastic weather conditions, Guimar�es is a Golf Bliss for most golfers.
Portugal Golf - Guimar�es
Guimar�es History
Records show that King Alfonso de Le�n in 840 convened a Council of Bishops and
Counts in this town. Some 28 years later a nobleman named Vimara Peres
established the town as a centre to be ruled as a Burgh in Germanic tradition.
In the 10th Century this town was said to be ruled by a woman named Mumadona.
She constructed a wooden castle from which she successfully defended her
surrounding large estate. In the 11th Century a Monastery was founded and a
castle was built. Between 1095-96 Count Henry of Burgundy the father of the
first King of Portugal maintained his court in this town. It follows that when
Dom Afonso Henriques was first proclaimed King of Portugal in 1139 he chose this
attractive town as his capital. The elegant castle that has since always
featured on the Portuguese coat of arms is reputed to have been his actual
birthplace and within the small Romanesque church within its grounds is the font
in which he was supposedly baptized. Dom Afonso, the much-travelled 15th and the
first of the Dukes of Bragan�a, was later to construct his palatial home within
the city. Some six kilometres to the north of the town is a place named Campo da
Ataca and it was here that the important Battle de S�o Mamede was fought. This
particular Battle was the decisive event that led to Afonso Henriques securing
the right to establish the Kingdom of Portugal.
Guimar�es Description
The city has tried to retain its proud heritage by maintaining as many of its
established buildings from the past. The Rua de Santa Maria in the old quarter
of the city is still a tight narrow street with cobbles and lined with facades
adorned with statues. The palace built in the Pa�o dos Duques by Dom Afonso was
discarded by his successors when they moved the family seat to Vila Vi�osa in
the Alentejo. During the 20th Century rule of Salazar this palace was restored
to some of its original glory and used as an official residence of the
President. There is a small museum attached to the palace that can be visited by
visitors.
In the former monastery of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira there are excellent
examples of religious artwork through the centuries. Other interesting exhibits
are the battle tunic worn by Dom Jo�o I at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385,
and a 14th Century silver altarpiece said to be taken from the defeated Spanish
King. This Monastery takes its name after the legend created in 672 when the
Visigoth King Wamba as chosen as King he drove his staff into the ground stating
he would not take office until it sprouted. It promptly did and he then failed
to withdraw it back out of the soil. In front of the Convent is the Padr�o do
Salado that commemorates a local legend. It is said that an olive tree was
planted to provide altar oil. It began to wither so a local tradesman hung a
cross on it and it henceforth flourished. Unfortunately, the tree that is seen
today only dates from 1985! The Museu Martins Sarmento is the home of many
interesting objects found from local sites dating as far back as the Iron Age.
The originally 14th Century church of S�o Francisco was reconstructed in the
18th Century and contains a chancel with impressive scenes from the life of �St
Anthony�.
Guimar�es Nearby Locations
To the north of Guimar�es is the somewhat sumptuous 18th Century Santu�rio de
Porto d'Ave modelled upon the Bom Jesus de Braga. In complete contrast some
kilometres further up the same road is the simple but historic 11th Century
Igreja de Fonte Arcada.
In the direction of Felgueiras which is to the south east of Guimar�es is the
Benedictine Monastery of Pombeiro de Ribavizela founded in 1059.
To the east of Guimar�es is the town of Cabeceiras de Bastos that lies in
mountains and its woods acted as a natural hiding place from the Moorish
invaders. Old carved stone statues representing Celtic warriors have been found
in the area and these have been given the name �Bastos� after the town. The area
is overshadowed by the mountain Monte Farinha that is crowned with the church of
Nossa Senhora da Gra�a. In the same area but further to the south is the village
of Celorico de Bastos that has a small castle and several charming old houses.
To the northwest of Guimar�es is the Spa town of Caldas das Taipas which dates
back to the time of Roman occupation. There is another Spa town named Vizela
which lies almost directly to the south of Guimar�es.
Guimar�es Information 253 421 200 - Town Hall 253 515 444 - Fire Brigade 253 513 334 - Police 253 421 450 - Tourist Office 253 512 612 - Hospital 808 208 208 - Railways (CP) - www.cp.pt 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists 112 - SOS
Guimar�es Events
Festa de S�o Jos� - 19th March
Festas de Santo Ant�nio - 13th June
Town Holiday - 24th June
Festas Gualterianas - August
Festas da Peregrina��o � Penha - 13th September
Festas Nicolinas ou Estudantes - 29th Nov to 4th Dec
Romaria de N� Sra. da Concei��o - 8th December
Romaria de Santa Luzia - 13th December
Market Day - Every Friday
Guimar�es Locations of Interest
Castle of Guimar�es
Chapel - Capela do Monte de Visto
Chapel - Capela de S�o Torcato
Church - Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
Church - Igreja dos Santos Passos
Church - Igreja de S�o Francisco
Church - Igreja de S�o Miguel do Castelo
Convento de Santa Clara
Home - Casa do Arco
Home - Casa das Hortas
Home - Casa dos Laranjais
Home - Casa dos Lobos Machado
Home - Casa do Proposto
Home - Casa das R�tulas
Home - Casa da Rua Nova
Home - Casa Vila Pouca
Mosteiro de Santa Marinha da Costa
Monte da Penha
Pal�cio dos Duques de Bragan�a
Pal�cio do Vila-Flor
Pal�cio Lobo-Machado
Square - Pra�a da Oliveira
Square - Pra�a de S�o Tiago
Museum Archaeological of Soc. M. Sarmento
Museum Alberto Sampaio
Portugal Golf
253 421 200 - Town Hall
