Nestled in the district of Braga, in the heart of the ancient province of Minho, Guimarães proudly boasts a thousand-year-old history. It was in these lands that Alphonse Henriques, the first king of Portugal, giving Guimarães a unique and irreplaceable place in the founding story of the Portuguese nation.
Guimarães, the emblematic cradle of Portugal
The people of Guimarães, known as the Vimaranenses, take their name from a key figure, Vimara Peres. In the mid-ninth century, this man established the governmental center of the Portucalense county in Guimarães. This county, the territorial cradle of the future Portugal, had been conquered for the Kingdom of Asturias, where Vimara Peres died.
In one of Portugal's greenest regions, Guimarães stands out for its vast pine forests. It is fascinating to note that the pine industry, with over 50,000 employees and sales of around 3.9 billion euros, is a major economic pillar, with almost 44 % of revenues generated by exports.
The Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, built in the early fifteenth century by Alfonso Henriques, the first Duke of Braganceis an architectural masterpiece. The 39 tall brick chimneys and architecture influenced by Alphonse's travels, particularly in Burgundy, characterize this magnificent building. Today, it serves as the official residence of the President of the Republic during his visits to the country's northern region.
Overlooking the city, Guimarães Castle offers breathtaking views. Built around 968 by Mumadona, a Galician countess, to protect the population from Viking and Moor invasions, it was the birthplace of Alphonse Henriques, the founder of Portugal as an independent nation. Listed as a National Monument since 1910, the castle was elected one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal in 2007. Its seven square towers, including the 28-meter-high Homage Tower, offer visitors an unforgettable experience.
The medieval square of O Largo da Oliveira takes its name from the centuries-old olive tree that stands majestically at its base. Surrounded by typical houses, including that of the Lobo Machado family, a historic Guimarães family, Largo da Oliveira is the beating heart of the town. All streets converge on this square, where a Gothic kiosk, erected during the reign of Don Alfonso 4, commemorates the Portuguese victory in the Battle of the Salado against the forces of the Moorish Kingdom of Granada in 1339. Guimarães, with its glorious past and flourishing modernity, stands as a jewel in Portugal's crown.
