Museums & Other Attractions in Braga
The city of Braga, in the Minho region of north west Portugal, north of Porto, has a couple of stand out attractions. These are the pilgrimage site of Bom Jesus do Monte just 5 km outside the city and the spectacular Sé de Braga (Braga Cathedral).
Braga also has a number of other fine museums and churches, making it worth visiting from Porto on a day trip or staying for longer.
Mosteiro de Tibães
The Mosteiro de Tibães is the oldest Benedictine monastery in Portugal. It is set in verdant, fertile grounds with an unbelievably ornate chapel. Highlights are the beautiful cloisters, azulejos, gardens and vineyards and the monk's quarters.
Braga Municipal Stadium
Braga Municipal Stadium is a must for fans of Portuguese football due to its amazing architecture and natural setting. The stadium was designed by prolific Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura (who also designed the Paula Rego Museum in Cascais and the Trinidade and the Casa da Música metro stations in Porto). The stadium tour includes the stadium museum which presents the history of the Sporting Braga team, the dressing rooms and takes the visitor pitch side as well for amazing views of this unique sporting arena.
Palácio dos Biscaínhos
The Palácio dos Biscaínhos is located a short walk from Braga Station. The building dates originally from the 17th century but is defined architecturally by the 18th century. The residence had a succession of wealthy and aristocratic owners over the years. The house and gardens now display a variety of treasures such as azulejos tiles, both European and Oriental porcelain, ceramics, period furniture, paintings and stucco ceilings. The house has been open as a museum since 1978.
Câmara Municipal de Braga
The Câmara Municipal de Braga (Town Hall) in Praça do Município was designed by Braga-born architect André Soares. Soares' other work in and around Braga includes the Arco da Porta Nova, the Palácio do Raio, and the Igreja dos Congregados. Begun in 1754 Braga's Town Hall was not completed until 1865.
Museu de Arqueologia D. Diogo de Sousa
The Museu de Arqueologia Dom Diogo de Sousa is a modern archaeological museum which opened in 2007. It displays the accumulated archaeological riches of the area with emphasis on the Roman settlement of Bracara Augusta. Numerous Roman ceramics are on display along with finds from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age.
Casa dos Crivos
The Casa dos Crivos (aka Casa das Gelosias) is a Renaissance building dating from the 17th century that is covered with wooden lattice work. The lattice was to ensure privacy in this religiously conservative city. The three story building is now an art gallery and museum that holds temporary exhibitions. Casa dos Crivos translates as the "House of Screens."
Museu da Imagem
The free to enter Museu da Imagem occupies a 19th century building with a 14th century tower that was once part of the city's wall. The museum displays a collection of historic cameras and photographs. The museum also holds temporary exhibitions especially during the summer tourist season.
Arco Da Porta Nova
The ornate Arco Da Porta Nova is a surviving gate of the city's wall dating from 1773 opposite the Museu da Imagem. Baroque and Neoclassical in design, it is the work of the architect André Soares.
Museu Nogueira da Silva
The Museu Nogueira da Silva lies hidden behind the facade of a non-descript house. However, the gardens are extensive, majestic, and spectacular. The entrance to the house and gardens is obscured by multiple bus stops and shelters that line Avenida Central, which runs on the north side of the Praça da República, and which carries a good portion of Braga's daily bus traffic. The different areas of the garden form a set of interconnected terraces, structures, and statue platforms, with broad stairs connecting the different levels. In the center is a large formal rose garden. Dotted around the space are benches on which to sit and contemplate the garden, shaded from the hot summer sun.
Episcopal Palace (Paço Arquiepiscopal de Braga)
The Episcopal Palace (Paço Arquiepiscopal de Braga), in the historic center of Braga was once the former residence of the powerful archbishops of Braga.
The palace consists of three buildings, all connected, that date from different periods. Thus, each building has a different architectural style: Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The palace now contains a public library (Biblioteca Pública de Braga), local archives and offices of the University of Minho.