Braga

For other uses, see Braga (disambiguation).

Braga
Braga's Cathedral
Flag Coat of arms
Coordinates: 41°32′39″N 08°25′19″W
Country	Portugal
Regions	Norte
Sub-regions	Cávado
District	Braga
Area
• Land	183.51 km2 (70.85 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	181,819

Braga (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈbɾaɣɐ]), a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World. With an urban population of 175,063, Braga is the third-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon and Porto (including the city and suburban parishes, the municipality had a total of 62 parishes and 181,819 inhabitants as of 2011, is the seventh largest municipality in Portugal by population). Braga is also the center of the Greater Metropolitan Area of Minho with a population of 826,833 (2007) one of the fastest growing urban areas in the European Union.^{[citation needed]} Under the Roman Empire, as Bracara Augusta, it was capital of the province Gallaecia. The urban area extends from the (river) Cavado to the (river) Este. The present Mayor is Francisco Soares Mesquita Machado, elected from the Socialist Party.

For 2012, the city has been awarded with the title European Youth Capital 2012 (Info) and will be the centre of European youth.

History

For the Ecclesiastical history see Archbishopric of Braga

Antiquity

Map of Braga at the end of the 16th century, when the city was still enclosed by its mediaeval wall. The large building in the middle is the Cathedral of Braga. The Palace of the Archbishops, with many courtyards, can be seen over the cathedral. The structure with many towers at the right corner of the walls is the ancient Castle of Braga, from which a tower has survived.

The region of Braga has been inhabited since pre-historic times, and in the Iron Age the Bracari, a Celtic people, occupied the region and built their characteristic fortified villages (castrum). It was the capital of the Callaici Bracarii, or Bracarenses, a tribe who occupied what is now Galicia and northern Portugal. The Romans began their conquest of the region around 136 BC, and during the times of Emperor Augustus (around the year 20 BC) the city of Bracara Augusta was founded in the context of the administrative needs of the new Roman territory. Bracara was dedicated to the Emperor, hence the name Augusta.

The city of Bracara Augusta developed greatly during the 1st century and reached its maximum extension in the 2nd century. Towards the end of the 3rd century, Emperor Diocletianus promoted the city to the status of capital of the newly-founded province of Gallaecia.

During the times of the Germanic Invasions of the Iberian Peninsula, Roman power was dissolved and Bracara Augusta and the whole region of Gallaecia fell into the hands of the Sueves, a Germanic people from Central Europe. In 410, the Sueves established a Kingdom in the Northwest of Iberia – Gallaecia – and maintained Bracara as the capital. But about 584 it passed into the hands of the Visigothic conquerors of Hispania, whose renunciation of the Arian and Priscillianist heresies, at two synods held here in the 6th century, marks the origin of its ecclesiastical greatness. The archbishops of Braga retain the title of primate of Portugal, and long claimed supremacy over the Hispanic church also; but their authority was never accepted throughout Hispania.

Braga had an important role in the Christianisation of the Iberian Peninsula. The first known bishop of Braga, Paternus, lived in the end of the 4th century, although Saint Ovidius (d. 135 AD) is sometimes considered one of the first bishops of this city.[1] In the early 5th century, Paulus Orosius, a friend of Saint Augustine born in Braga, wrote several theological and historical works of great importance. In the 6th century a great figure was Saint Martin of Braga, a bishop of Braga who converted the Sueves from Arianism to Catholicism. He also founded an important monastery near Braga, in Dumio (Dume), now an archaeological site. Several Councils were held in Braga during this period, a sign of the religious importance of the city.

Middle Ages

Mediaeval wing (14th century) of the Archbishop's Palace of Braga with Saint Barbara's Garden.

The history of Braga during Visigothic and Arab times is very obscure and represents periods of decadence for the city. From the Moors, who captured Braga early in the 8th century, the city was retaken in 1040 by king Ferdinand I of León and Castile. From 1093 to 1147 it was the residence of the Portuguese court. The bishopric was restored in 1070, and the first new bishop, Pedro, started rebuilding the Cathedral, many times modified in the following centuries. In the early 12th century, Count Henry of Portugal and bishop Gerald of Moissac managed to turn Braga into an archbishopric seat, with power over a large area in Iberia. The medieval city developed around the cathedral and covers only a fraction of the ancient Roman city. The maximum authority in the city remained that of the archbishop.

Modern Age

In the 16th century, Braga did not profit from the Age of Portuguese Discoveries, that favoured cities like Lisbon, Évora and Coimbra. This situation was changed by Archbishop Diogo de Sousa, who sponsored several urban improvements in the city, including the enlargement of streets, the creation of public squares and the foundation of hospitals and new churches. He also modernised the cathedral by adding a new main chapel in the fashion of the time, the manueline style. Diogo de Sousa turned the mediaeval town into a renaissance city, and many of his improvements can still be seen in modern Braga.

Another golden age for the city was the 18th century, in which archbishops and architects like André Soares and Carlos Amarante dotted the city and surrounding region with beautiful baroque churches and civil buildings. The Municipality, the Public Library building, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte and many urban palaces date from this period.

The 19th century was a difficult period for the city and the country, which had been invaded by Napoleonic troops. In the second half of that century, the influence of Portuguese immigrants who had lived in Brazil introduced new tastes and improvements in the city architecture and infrastructure.

In the 20th century Braga faced great demographic and urbanistic pressures, and the infrastructure of the city had to be greatly improved to meet the new needs.

Climate

Braga has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) similar to other cities in the northwest Iberian Peninsula except for having significantly hotter summer temperatures due to being some distance from the ocean: the absolute maximum is as much as 6˚C (10˚F) higher than for A Coruna or Santiago de Compostela.

Climate data for Braga (1971–2000)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	22.4 (72.3)	25.8 (78.4)	26.3 (79.3)	30.2 (86.4)	34.7 (94.5)	36.0 (96.8)	38.9 (102.0)	39.4 (102.9)	37.8 (100.0)	32.5 (90.5)	27.5 (81.5)	23.5 (74.3)	39.4 (102.9)
Average high °C (°F)	13.4 (56.1)	14.5 (58.1)	16.9 (62.4)	17.9 (64.2)	20.4 (68.7)	24.6 (76.3)	27.5 (81.5)	27.5 (81.5)	25.4 (77.7)	20.7 (69.3)	16.6 (61.9)	14.3 (57.7)	20.0 (68.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)	8.7 (47.7)	9.8 (49.6)	11.5 (52.7)	12.6 (54.7)	15.0 (59.0)	18.6 (65.5)	20.9 (69.6)	20.6 (69.1)	19.0 (66.2)	15.3 (59.5)	11.8 (53.2)	10.0 (50.0)	14.5 (58.1)
Average low °C (°F)	4.1 (39.4)	5.1 (41.2)	6.1 (43.0)	7.3 (45.1)	9.7 (49.5)	12.5 (54.5)	14.3 (57.7)	13.7 (56.7)	12.5 (54.5)	9.9 (49.8)	7.0 (44.6)	5.7 (42.3)	9.0 (48.2)
Record low °C (°F)	−3.4 (25.9)	−4.1 (24.6)	−2.3 (27.9)	−1.3 (29.7)	1.1 (34.0)	3.7 (38.7)	5.9 (42.6)	4.0 (39.2)	2.6 (36.7)	−1 (30)	−3.8 (25.2)	−4.1 (24.6)	−4.1 (24.6)
Precipitation mm (inches)	192.7 (7.587)	161.0 (6.339)	102.3 (4.028)	122.5 (4.823)	118.5 (4.665)	62.2 (2.449)	24.1 (0.949)	29.8 (1.173)	79.0 (3.11)	166.8 (6.567)	175.4 (6.906)	231.4 (9.11)	1,465.7 (57.705)
Source: Instituto de Meteorologia, IP Portugal

Main sights

The city of Braga and its surrounding region have many historical monuments, including the cathedral (Sé), Bom Jesus, and Sameiro (Sanctuaries).

In the historic city (centro)

Churches

• Braga Cathedral (Sé de Braga, 12th–18th centuries): The most important historical monument of the city. Rich mix of architectural and artistic styles.
• Populo Church (16th century): Neo-classical church.
• Misericordia Church (Igreja da Misericórdia): A renaissance-style church.
• Saint Paul Church (Igreja de São Paulo)
• Saint Vincent Church (Igreja de São Vicente)
• Carmo Church (Igreja do Carmo)
• Congregados Church (Igreja dos Congregados)
• Holy Cross Church (Igreja de Santa Cruz)

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  Braga Cathedral

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  Saint Michael's church, Braga

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  Saint Paul Church in Braga (Igreja de São Paulo), 16th century.

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  Populo Church

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  Palmeira's Church

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  Holy Cross Church

Museums

Biscainhos Museum is located in the palace with the same name built in the 18th century.

• Biscainhos Museum
• Cathedral Treasure
• Image Museum
• Museum Medina
• Nogueira da Silva Museum
• Pius XII Museum
• D. Diogo de Sousa Museum
• Stringed Instruments Museum

Others

Municipality of Braga and Fountain of the Pelican. Both were built in the 18th century.

• Idol's Fountain (Fonte do Ídolo, 1st century AD): Roman fountain dedicated to an indigenous god, Tongoenabiagus. Bears reliefs and inscriptions.
• Tower of Braga Castle (14th century): Gothic tower left from the ancient castle of the city.
• Coimbras Chapel (Capela dos Coimbras, early 16th century): Richly decorated chapel in Renaissance and Manueline styles.
• Archbishop's Palace of Braga, or Archiepiscopal Court, (Paço Arquiepiscopal) (14th–18th centuries): Gothic, Mannerist and Baroque wings. Houses the Library of the City.
• New City Gate (Arco da Porta Nova, 18th century): Beautiful baroque-style city gate that substituted an earlier Gothic gate.
• Braga Town Hall (18th century): Baroque building.
• Raio Palace (18th century): Baroque-Rococo urban palace with richly decorated façade.
• Circus Theatre (Theatro Circo, 20th century) the most famous theater in Braga
• Santa Barbara Garden (Jardim de Santa Bárbara)
• Aguas Ferreas Fountain
• Campo das Hortas Fountain
• Sieves House (Casa dos Crivos)

Outside the city centre

Main church of the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary

• Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary (18th-early 19th century): Neoclassic church with a magnificent Baroque stairway and Bom Jesus funicular, the oldest in Iberian Peninsula. Located in the city surroundings.
• Falperra Church (18th century): Good example of Baroque architecture with pentagonal floorplan and Rococo façade.
• Monastery of Tibães (17th–18th centuries): Benedictine monastery of great artistic importance in Portugal. Notable inner gilt work.
• Sameiro Sanctuary (19th–20th centuries): Important pilgrimage centre dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
• Braga Municipal Stadium, carved out of the Monte Castro hill that overlooks the city.
• Saint Frutuoso Chapel, pre-Romanesque Chapel built in the 7th Century.
• Saint Eulalia Church, Romanesque church, near Bom Jesus.
• Chamor Hill, with a monument to the Sacred Heart which is 20 meters high.
• Seven Sources, the old potable water supply system.
• Dona Chica Castle, a romantic Castle in Palmeira, from the architect Ernesto Korrodi.

City Overviews

Panorama of Braga, taken from the valley of Cávado River

Panorama of Braga, taken from the valley of Este River

Commerce and business

Bank of Portugal building in Braga.

The major industries in the municipality are construction, metallurgy and mechanics, software development and web design. The computer industry is growing rapidly.

Transport

Braga is serviced by regional trains and has fast train connections to other regions.

Airports

• Aerodromo de Braga / Palmeira
• The Sá Carneiro International Airport is about 20 minutes away.

Education, science and technology

The city is the headquarters and main campus for the Universidade do Minho (Minho University), a public university founded in 1973. In the city was established also, in 1967, a branch of the oldest private university of Portugal, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa at Braga.

In the late 2000s a major international research centre was founded in the city – the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory.

Sports

Braga's football team, Sporting Clube de Braga, was founded in 1921 and play in the top division of Portuguese football, the Liga Sagres.

The Rampa da Falperra, a round of the European Hillclimb Championship, is held every year in the outskirts of the city.

The Circuito Vasco Sameiro and adjacent the Kartódromo Internacional de Braga are located around the local airfield. The racing track held European Touring Car Cup events in 2009 and 2010, and the KIB has held rounds of the Karting World Championship.

Famous citizens

• Paulus Orosius (c.385–c.420): Important historian and theologue from the Braga diocese, friend of St. Augustine.
• Martin of Braga (c.520 – 580): Bishop of Braga that converted the Suevi to Catholicism.
• Diogo de Sousa (c.1461–1532): Archbishop of Braga after 1505. A great sponsor of the arts, he remodelled the Cathedral and promoted the urbanisation of the city following Renaissance models. He also founded several churches and an important school (the São Paulo School).
• Francisco Sanches (1550–1623): 16th-century physician born in the Braga diocese and educated in universities in France and Italy.
• André Soares (1720–1769): 18th century architect, designed several important Rococo buildings in Braga and Northern Portugal.
• Irmã Maria Estrela Divina,religious and stigmatic woman.Buried in Braga Cathedral.
• Domingos Leite Pereira: Portuguese politician of the Portuguese First Republic.
• Maria Ondina Braga (1932–2003) escritora e cosmopolita
• António Variações (1944–1984) innovative pop composer and singer
• Marie Myriam (born Myriam Lopes in Braga,8 May 1957) French singer of Portuguese origin,winner of 1977 Eurovision Song Contest with "L`Oiseau et L`Enfant" ("The Bird and the Child"), written by Jean Paul Cara and Joe Grace.

Parishes

Adaúfe Arcos Arentim Aveleda Cabreiros Celeirós Cividade Crespos Cunha Dume Escudeiros Espinho Esporões Ferreiros Figueiredo Fradelos Fraião Frossos Gondizalves Gualtar Guisande Lamaçães Lamas Lomar Maximinos Mire de Tibães Morreira Navarra Nogueira Nogueiró Padim da Graça

Palmeira Panóias Parada de Tibães Pedralva Pousada Priscos Real Ruilhe Santa Lucrécia de Algeriz Santo Estêvão do Penso São João do Souto São José de São Lázaro São Julião dos Passos São Mamede de Este São Paio de Merelim São Pedro de Este São Pedro de Merelim São Pedro de Oliveira São Vicente São Vicente do Penso São Vítor Sé Semelhe Sequeira Sobreposta Tadim Tebosa Tenões Trandeiras Vilaça Vimieiro

Use in popular culture

Braga is the home of a professional Quidditch team, the Braga Broomfleet, operating within the fictional Harry Potter universe.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Portugal

Twin towns — Sister cities

Braga is twinned with:

• Astorga, Spain
• Bissorã, Guinea-Bissau
• Clermont-Ferrand, France
• Puteaux, France
• Santo André, Brazil
• São Nicolau, Cape Verde

See also

• A Brasileira one of the oldest and most famous cafés in Braga.
• Councils of Braga
• Escola Secundária Sá de Miranda the oldest Secondary school in Braga

Roman Market in Braga

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  Opening of the "Roman Market" in Braga, Portugal

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  Romans in the Roman Market

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  Catapult in the Roman Market

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  An actor dressed as Obelix in the Roman Market

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  Weaving in the "Roman Market"

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

External links

• Information about Braga
• Map of Braga
• Braga Portal
• Virtual tourist pictures of Braga
• Braga Guide
• Virtual Braga