While there were a few tour companies in Porto that operated day trips to Braga and Guimaraes by bus (prices ranged from 60-90 euros), I opted out of those and chose to create my own itinerary for cost and schedule reasons. I wanted to spend a full day in Braga and Guimaraes each instead of rushing through both in one day. I also learned that I could make the trips there (on rail) at a huge fraction of the tour costs.
So, I rode the train to Braga today from the Sao Bento railway station in Porto. The round-trip train ticket to Braga cost 6.70 euros (which included the initial 0.50 euro cents cost for the reusable ticket). It was a fast, direct, and smooth ride, despite several stops along the way.
Braga, coined as "Portuguese Rome" and "the capital of the Baroque", is a cultural and religious city that is home to Portugal's first and oldest cathedral. It is also along the Camino Portuguese route to Santiago with the Cathedral as a major landmark on the pilgrimage. Founded since the era of Emperor Augustus in 15 BC, the city has transformed over the years with the construction of medieval town walls to the construction of squares, water fountains, chapels and public crosses (during the renaissance period) to the exuberant displays of Baroque artwork in the Cathedral, churches, and palaces (during the Baroque period). Located 5 km (3.1 miles) away from Braga's historic center is Bom Jesus do Monte, a church and sanctuary located up on a hill that is the greatest symbol of this Baroque period in Braga.
Above: Arco da Porta Nova
Above right: Misericordia Church (renaissance period)
Above right: Side entry to the Cathedral
Above: Medieval remains next to the Cathedral (since 1089)
Above right: The Cathedral's cloister (free entrance)
Above left: The last shot inside the Cathedral's cloister before I was told that photography was not allowed in the Cathedral's compound
Above right: Avenida da Liberdade
Above left: Praca da Republica
Above: Bom Jesus Sanctuary do Monte ~ I took a bus (#2) from Avenida da Liberdade in downtown Braga (1.65 euros each way) to this site and walked up the stairs to the church (alternative: take a funicular up for 1.20 euros each way or 2 euros round-trip)
Above right: Rum and raisin and chocolate ice cream (2.20 euros)
Above: Back in downtown Braga
Above: A mobile library in downtown Braga
Above: Praca da Republica
Above right: One of the Cathedral's walls
Above left: Captured on a Cathedral wall; Above right: Part of the Cathedral's complex
Above left: The Cathedral (Se de Braga), circa 1089 ~ Portugal's first and oldest cathedral
Above: No photography was allowed beyond the vestibule of the Cathedral (free entrance)
Above left: Tourists will have to pay to see the Cathedral (starting in September, I think); Above right: Green wine (vinho verde) ~ refreshing
Above: My late lunch in Braga ~ shrimp omelette with fries and salad and a glass of green wine (4.80 euros); I've gotten really used to this European sit-down, leisurely lunch concept and wished we had more of this in the States (less fast-food, more slow-food, please!)
Above: A port house in Braga where I bought 2 small souvenir bottles of tawny and white port wines for 2 euros each
Above: Palacio dos Biscainhos Museum ~ a tour of a 16th-18th century manor house in Braga (2 euros general entrance; 1 euro for students)
Above right: The gardens of Palacio dos Biscainhos
Above: The interior of Palacio dos Biscainhos
Above right: Sunset on the river Douro (seen from the train ride back to Porto)
Next post: Porto, Portugal - Part III (August 28, 2014)
Previous post: Porto, Portugal - Part II (August 24-26, 2014)
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