Learn about the history of this ancient and winding streets of the city of Guimarães which is a cultural providence of Minho. Discover the essential points of interest with a personal, entertaining touch from by the guide.
The proud birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first independent king of Portugal (born here in 1110, he later used the city to launch the main thrust of the Reconquista against the Moors), and, thus, the Portuguese kingdom, Guimarães has beautifully preserved its illustrious past. Its medieval center is a warren of labyrinthine lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century buildings, while on an adjacent hill stands a 1000-year-old castle and the massive palace built by the first Duke of Bragança in the 15th century. Guimarães superbness was recognized in 2001 when UNESCO declared its old center a World Heritage Site. In 2012, the city was the European Capital of Culture, which has given it a more creative edge.
Included
Largo da Oliveira, Guimarães