Porto's Surroundings

Guimarães - "The Cradle of Portugal"

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The Country of Portugal was born almost a millenium ago and Guimarães is the town where everything started.

The "Condado of Portucale" was given by the king of "Leão e Castela", Afonso VI, to his daughter Teresa and her spouse, Henrique de Borgonha, as marriage dowry, in 1093. From this marriage , born Afonse Henriques in 1111, the one that woul be the first king of Portugal.

Afonso Henriques , with only 11 years old, under the guidance of Archbishop Paio Mendes armed himself as knight in Tui.

In 1128, at 24 of June, Afonse Henriques , fought the forces of his mother near Guimarães, in the Batle of São Mamede, and won independence from the kingdom of "Leão e Castela", starting the new born nation - PORTUGAL. This is why portuguese people call Guimarães the Nation's Cradle - "O Berço da Nação".

In 2001, UNESCO classified Guimarães as World Heritage. It is an exceptionally well-preserved town illustrating the evolution of particular building types from the medieval settlement to the present-day city, and particularly in the 15th-19th centuries.

The Historical Center is formed by a large number of stone constructions (950-1498). Although there were been some changes along the centuries, the town has maintained its medieval urban layout. The momuments include the: Medieval Castle; Church of São Miguel do Castelo (near the Castle); Palace of the Duques of Bragança; in the square of Oliveira you can see Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, Town Hall and a Gothic arch, a monument commemorating the victory of Dom Afonso IV in the Batle of Padrão do Salado.