Courtyard at the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza

View across the courtyard of the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (Paço dos Duques de Bragança) in Guimarães. To the right you can see the chapel entrance with its Romanesque era portico.

The building was commissioned during the 15th century but within a hundred years it had been left to go to ruin. However, during the early 1900s it was extensively renovated by the state, although to a large extent, not in keeping with the original design.

 

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Guimarães travel guide »

Heralded as the birthplace of Portugal as we know it today, the role of Guimarães in establishing Portugal’s status as an independent country and national identity is significant. Already housing an important monastery, protected from Moorish and Norman attack by a formidable castle and fortifications, in the 12th century Guimaraes also witnessed the birth of Portugal’s first king, Dom…