The medieval upper town dates back to the 12th Century. Long considered as impregnable, the Fortaleza was originally built by King Sancho I in 1187 and later modified by João I. The fortifications originally encircled the whole upper medieval town, its thick defensive walls strengthened by 15 watchtowers. The focal point here is the 33 metres (108ft) tall castle keep (Torre de Menagem), which hasn't changed very much since its construction in the 15th Century. The tower retains some original gothic details such as the windows. One can still see the coat of arms belonging to João I. If you make the effort to climb to the top you will be well rewarded by the amazing vistas which await you.

Museu Militar de Bragança

Inside there's a Military Museum which was first created in 1929 when the 10th Infantry Regiment was stationed here. Throughout four floors one can find exhibits such as suits of armour, medieval armoury to modern weaponry and art from the Portuguese colonies. There is a broad collection of light arms dating from the 1200s to the first world war.
Tuesday - Sunday: 09h00 - 12h00/14h00 - 17h00, Monday: CLOSSED
€2.00
R. da Cidadela, 5300-025 Bragança, Portugal. | 41° 48' 18.8" N | 06° 44' 59.9" W
+351 273 328 378 | musmilbraganca@mail.exercito.pt

Pillory

Between the castle and the outer walls of the Fortaleza, in the adjoining garden, can be found one of the many iron age granite pig statues (Berrões) found all over Northern Iberia. It's not fully known the purpose of these Celtic/Pre-Roman statues. One idea is they represent fertility. In the 15th Century, this statue was utilised at the foundation of the town's pillory.

Church of Santa Maria

Also within the confines of the Fortaleza walls is what's considered to be Bragança's oldest church. It was originally built in 1580 AD in the Romanesque style and was extensively restored in the 18th century. The baroque facade was added later. The interior of the church contains a colourful painted ceiling depicting the Assumption of the Virgin. It was originally dedicated to another female deity known as Nossa Senhora do Sardão (Our Lady of the Green Lizard), who supposedly gave protection to the inhabitants against the Moors.
Tuesday - Sunday: 10h00 - 17h00, Monday: CLOSSED
R. da Cidadela, Santa Maria, 5300-025 Bragança, Portugal. | 41° 48' 13.1" N | 06° 44' 56.9" W

Domus Municipalis

Located alongside the Church of Santa Maria can be found a classified national monument, the mysterious Domus Municipalis dates back probably to the late 12th or early 13th century and is one of the few remaining examples of Romanesque civic architecture in Portugal. Constructed from rounded granite blocks this multilevelled building forms an irregular pentagon with a subterranean vaulted cistern and covered by wooden roof tiles. The cistern level was used to store the towns drinking water whilst the higher level served as a civil court.
Tuesday - Sunday: 10h00 - 17h00, Monday: CLOSED
FREE ADMISSION

By the 15th Century, Bragança had outgrown its original defensive walls and the medieval lower town developed, boasting many fine town and merchant houses. A great pleasure is to emerge yourself within the old cobbled streets which descend the hill from the Fortaleza where you can discover old churches, small squares, old fountains, interesting shops and eateries.

Around the Rua dos Fornos is the old Jewish quarter. An influx of Jewish refugees came to Bragança during the 15th century fleeing Spain and North Portugal. It was the Jewish community that started the towns silk industry.

Lower down the hill in a square which bears its name is the 16th-century old cathedral, also called Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. With the recent building of a new cathedral, the building became a parish church dedicated to John the Baptist.

Igreja de (Church of) São Bento

A 16th century Renaissance marvel, commissioned by the bishop António Pinheiro. This church is integrated into a convent founded in 1590 by the order of D. Maria Teixeira, occupying the houses which belonged to her. Overlooking the entrance is São Bento himself flanked either side by the royal coat of arms.

The somewhat understated exterior hides a marvellously ornate interior. Its famed painted ceiling by Manuel Caetano Fortuna are created in the Mudejar style and is richly coloured. In the main chapel, one finds a fine guided retable from 1721 and overhead the ceiling has an excellent scenic painting, employing Trompe-l'oeil effects.
Rua de São Francisco, Bragança 5300. Portugal. | 41° 48' 18.7" N | 06° 44' 57.6" W

Three kilometres or so east of Bragança, near the village of Castro de Avelãs, are the remains of a 12th-century Benedictine abbey which since the 18th century operates as a church. Surrounded by oak and chestnut trees the structure is unusual, the abbey section is made from brick. Only the chevet with its apse and semi-circular apsidioles of the former building remains. The 18th-century church was added and serves as a nave. The older section is a fine example of Mudéjar and Baroque styles. The older structure is made up of three circular chapels featuring fine tile work and decoration applied to blind arcades. Outside are the ruins of the abbey's foundations which indicate the monumental scale of the original edifice. The abbey fell into decline after a papal bull was issued by Paul III that declared the monastery's annexation to the diocese of Miranda do Douro along with all its clergy and assets.

Castro de Avelãs, 5300-481 Bragança, Portugal.
41° 47′ 55.8″ N | 06° 48′ 17.7″ W
diocesebragancamiranda@gmail.com |  Website

Situated close to Bragança, this protected area, designated in 1979 includes the mountain ranges of Montesinho and Coroa and is one of the largest Parks in Portugal. Bordered by Spain on its west, north and east flanks, this remote and hilly area is home to a large number of animal species including 125 species of nesting birds, the golden eagle and the black stork, as well as 70% of Portugal's species of land mammals. Especially noteworthy are the packs of Iberian wolf in this region, the largest wolf population in the Iberian Peninsula.

Encompassing an area of 75,000 hectares (185,300 acres), the park is home to 88 villages, with some 80,000 inhabitants mainly working in forestry, cattle-raising and traditional agriculture. The history of human presence in the region is illustrated by megalithic monuments from the Bronze Age with Castros, watchtowers, medieval bridges and churches. The villages of Fresulfe and Sernande still bear distinctly Germanic names dating from the Visigoth period. Each year the area draws the adventurous visitor, walker, bird watchers, mountain biker and mountain climber.
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