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 Guimarães Accommodation
Guimarães Guest & Manor Houses
Guimarães Holiday Apartments
Guimarães Hotels
Guimarães Inns
Guimarães Accommodation - Pousadas
Pousada Nossa Senhora de Oliveira
Pousada Santa Marinha da Costa
Guimarães Entertainment
Guimarães - Restaurants
Guimarães - What to Do
Guimarães Golf Courses
Estela Golf Course
Ponte de Lima Golf Course
Quinta da Barca Golf Course
Amarante Golf Course
Vidago Palace Golf Course
Montebelo Golf Course
Golfe da Quinta do Fojo
Oporto Golf Club
Vale Pisao
Guimarães Guest Book
Guimarães Forum
Guimarães Wines
Vinho Verde Wines
History of Guimarães
Records show that King Alfonso de León in 840 convened a Council of
Bishops and Counts in this town. Some 28 years later a nobleman named
Vimara Peres established the town as a centre to be ruled as a Burgh
in Germanic tradition. In the 10th Century this town was said to be ruled
by a woman named Mumadona. She constructed a wooden castle from
which she successfully defended her surrounding large estate. In the 11th
Century a Monastery was founded and a castle was built. Between 1095-96
Count Henry of Burgundy the father of the first King of Portugal
maintained his court in this town. It follows that when Dom Afonso
Henriques was first proclaimed King of Portugal in 1139 he chose this
attractive town as his capital. The elegant castle that has since always
featured on the Portuguese coat of arms is reputed to have been his actual
birthplace and within the small Romanesque church within its grounds is the
font in which he was supposedly baptized. Dom Afonso, the much-travelled
15th and the first of the Dukes of Bragança, was later to construct
his palatial home within the city. Some six kilometres to the north of the
town is a place named Campo da Ataca and it was here that the important
Battle de São Mamede was fought. This particular Battle was the decisive
event that led to Afonso Henriques securing the right to establish the
Kingdom of Portugal. (Visit - Portugal History)
Guimarães - Description
The city has tried to retain its proud heritage by maintaining as many of
its established buildings from the past. The Rua de Santa Maria in
the old quarter of the city is still a tight narrow street with cobbles and
lined with facades adorned with statues. The palace built in the Paço
dos Duques by Dom Afonso was discarded by his successors when
they moved the family seat to Vila Viçosa in the Alentejo.
During the 20th Century rule of Salazar this palace was restored to some
of its original glory and used as an official residence of the President.
There is a small museum attached to the palace that can be visited by
visitors.
In the former monastery of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira there are
excellent examples of religious artwork through the centuries. Other
interesting exhibits are the battle tunic worn by Dom João I at the
battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, and a 14th Century silver altarpiece
said to be taken from the defeated Spanish King. This Monastery takes its
name after the legend created in 672 when the Visigoth King Wamba
as chosen as King he drove his staff into the ground stating he would not
take office until it sprouted. It promptly did and he then failed to
withdraw it back out of the soil. In front of the Convent is the Padrão
do Salado that commemorates a local legend. It is said that an olive
tree was planted to provide altar oil. It began to wither so a local
tradesman hung a cross on it and it henceforth flourished. Unfortunately,
the tree that is seen today only dates from 1985! The Museu Martins
Sarmento is the home of many interesting objects found from local sites
dating as far back as the Iron Age. The originally 14th Century church of
São Francisco was reconstructed in the 18th Century and contains a
chancel with impressive scenes from the life of “St Anthony”.
Guimarães - Nearby Locations
To the north of Guimarães is the somewhat sumptuous 18th Century
Santuário de Porto d'Ave modelled upon the Bom Jesus de Braga.
In complete contrast some kilometres further up the same road is the simple
but historic 11th Century Igreja de Fonte Arcada.
In the direction of Felgueiras which is to the south east of
Guimarães is the Benedictine Monastery of Pombeiro de Ribavizela
founded in 1059.
To the east of Guimarães is the town of Cabeceiras de Bastos
that lies in mountains and its woods acted as a natural hiding place from
the Moorish invaders. Old carved stone statues representing Celtic warriors
have been found in the area and these have been given the name “Bastos”
after the town. The area is overshadowed by the mountain Monte Farinha
that is crowned with the church of Nossa Senhora da Graça. In the
same area but further to the south is the village of Celorico de Bastos
that has a small castle and several charming old houses.
To the northwest of Guimarães is the Spa town of Caldas das Taipas
which dates back to the time of Roman occupation. There is another Spa town
named Vizela which lies almost directly to the south of Guimarães.
Guimarães Photos
Guimarães Town Castle
· Guimarães Town Street
· Guimarães Church and Palace
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Guimarães Events |
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| Festa de São José |
19th March |
| Festas de Santo António |
13th June |
| Town Holiday |
24th June |
| Festas Gualterianas |
August |
| Festas da Peregrinação à Penha |
13th September |
| Jazz Festival |
November |
| Festas Nicolinas ou Estudantes |
29th Nov to 4th Dec |
| Romaria de Nª Sra. da Conceição |
8th December |
| Romaria de Santa Luzia |
13th December |
| Market Day |
Every Friday
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Costa Verde Towns
Braga
· Porto
· Viana do Castelo
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Useful Guimarães Telephone Numbers
8000
