Guimarães
Guimarães is a historic town listed as UNESCO World Heritage since 2001. It inspires an identity, has a population of more than 52.000 inhabitants. Its historical importance is related to the important role in the foundation of Portugal. It is commonly referred to as the birthplace of Portugal.
Guimarães is located in a valley and surrounded by hills, and because there is some distance to the sea, the winter is normally cold and rainy and the summer is hot and slightly humid. The average annual temperature is 14 °C.
The municipality of Guimarães develops several fairs and festivals throughout the year. From medieval fairs to some events into conventual sweets with several workshops, you will find for sure something you will enjoy.
Perhaps the most famous in Guimarães
The city has several places to visit and enjoy throughout the day. You can easily spend two days visiting the Museums, Palaces, Churches, Convents and the castle.
Guimarães Castle, you will be able to access easily (except if with reduced mobility, due to several steps in both entrances access. For the Portuguese, the history starts here, since the first King of Portugal born in this fortress in the 10th century.
Palace of the Dukes of Bragança is unique. It is a medieval estate and former residence of the first Dukes of Bragança. Classified nowadays as National Monument, his interior remains with granite walls, floors and ceilings in wood. It worth to visit and enjoy.
Guimarães is associated with the foundation of Portugal and his identity. Military and political events back in 1128, leads to the independence and the birth of a nation. The city wall has written “Aqui nasceu Portugal”, which means: Portugal was born here.
Settlement: 1128 (Has the first Portuguese capital)
Elevation : 189 metres | 620 ft
Population: 158.124 people
- Platform for Arts and Creativity
- Church of São Francisco
- Martins Sarmento Archaeological Museum
- Alberto Sampaio Museum
- Church of Nossa Senhora da
- Consolação e dos Santos Passos
- Padrão do Salado
- Palace of the Dukes of Bragança
- Convento de Santa Clara
- Montanha da Penha
- Church of São Miguel
- Castle of Guimarães
Shopping malls are open at the moment with stores of essential goods or services only!
Mondays to Fridays : 8 am to 9 pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 8 am to 7 pm
Founded in 22nd September 1922, Vitória de Guimarães is the major soccer club.
- Main sport: Soccer
- Major Achievements: 3rd on the Portuguese Soccer Championship, 1 Supercup Cândido de Oliveira, 1 Portugal Cup.
- Other sports: Volley, basketball, beach soccer, polo, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, kickboxing.
Fafe: Founded in 1513. It is a city with 50.633 people, due to the immigration history to Brazil and many other countries in Europe. In fact, you will find the Portuguese influence in Vera Cruz (Brasil) with the Hospital São José de Fafe. The region has several Houses, Churches, and Museums to visit, besides the sights surrounding the city. Distance from 8 to 12 miles, depending on the roads to Guimarães.
Braga: famous for its heritage, religious events, and it is located to the northeast of Porto and north of Guimarães. Bom Jesus do Monte is a neoclassical church perched on an elaborate 17-step staircase. The medieval Sé de Braga has a museum of religious art and chapel gothic style called Capela dos Reis. Nearby, you will find the imposing Paço Arquiepiscopal with sights to the Santa Bárbara Garden. Distance of 16 miles to Guimarães.
Vila Nova de Famaicão: In 1205, King D. Sancho I of Portugal supporter of dispersed settlements on the Kingdom of Lusitania, made an agreement with the 40 inhabitants of the land, conceding all the profits. Since then, till today, Vila Nova de Famalicão growth. Has an amazing network of thematic museums and it is known for it rural, religious, and industrial tourism. From local festivals to pilgrimages, has rich gastronomy, besides the cultural and industrial heritage. Distance to Guimarães : 21 miles.
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POPULATION
LANGUAGE
POPULATION
Portugal has a population of about 10 million.
The population density is at its greatest in Lisbon, the capital and its suburbs, where about 1.9 million people live. The second largest city in Portugal is Oporto in the north.
Generally speaking, there are more people living in the country’s coastal regions than in the inland areas.
LANGUAGE
LANGUAGE
From a Latin root, Portuguese is spoken by about 250 million people in every continent, and is the 5th most spoken language in the world and the 3rd, if we only consider the European languages.
The Portuguese-speaking countries are scattered all over the world. Portuguese is spoken in Africa (Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé e Príncipe), in South America (Brazil) and in Asia, (East Timor, the youngest nation in the world), and it is also the official language in Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
In Portugal there are lots of people who are able to communicate in English, French and Spanish.
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Pica Pau is a Portuguese petisco based on meat. It is possible to feature pork or beef (or even a mix of both) and as a delicious sauce, which is usually based on beer.