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Bragança
- History
The Romans gave the name of "Juliobriga" to the
original 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. (Visit - Portugal History)
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 Phillipa 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 Tavora
family to be executed in 1758 for plotting treason against the
then King José I.
Directly to the south of Bragança in this 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 Photos
Bragança Palace Garden
· Church
· Bragança Town
· Bragança House
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Bragança Events |
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| Feira das Cantarinhas |
2nd to 4th May |
| Carníssima |
May |
| Romaria Nª Sra da Ribeira |
Last weekend of May |
| Feira de S. Bartolomeu |
17th - 25th August |
| Norcaça |
October |
| Honey Fair |
Weekends of December |
| Market Day |
3rd, 12th & 21st of each month |
| Town Holiday |
22nd August
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Transmontana Towns
Castelo Branco
· Chaves
· Guarda
· Vila Real
· Viseu
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Useful Bragança Telephone Numbers
5300