Program
Minho tour offers mountain ranges with breathless views in the land of dense vegetation and profound historic wealth. Stare at manor-houses and mansions and enjoy the abundant gastronomy, light, acidulous wines (vinhos verdes) and rich wines, and a variety of handicrafts that mingles the shine of the filigree with the colour of the local embroideries. Throughout the region, the rivers, waterfalls, vineyards and fertile plots combine with the ancestral monuments in urban centres.
Guimaraes, is known as the "cradle of the nation", owing to the fact that it was the first capital of Portugal. It has a well preserved old town and profusion of historic monuments and art treasures. The historic town has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the examples of architecture ranging from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Most of the tourist sights are within a demarcated tourist zone that stretches from Guimaraes Castle in the north on the hill and then south in a cluster of cobbled streets and squares. Town life revolves around the Praça Toural, lined with shops, houses and banks and the beginning of the town's main shopping street, the Rua de S. António, but tourists tend to be drawn more towards the picturesque old town, with its imposing granite houses. Many have wrought iron balconies, smothered with flowers and the finest are to be found in the Rua de Santa Maria. Largo da Oliveira and Praca de Santiago are the central points within the old town which become full of coffee drinkers and diners from later in the morning. Rua Dom Joao I was the old road to Porto and is very picturesque being lined with balconied houses.
The big draw of the city tends to be up on the hill where Guimaraes Castle (Castelo de Guimaraes) and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca stand. The seven towered castle has a fantastic strategic viewpoint overlooking Guimaraes and the hilly, terraced countryside around. In complete contrast is the 15th century Palace of the Dukes of Braganca – the last royal dynasty in Portugal.
Braga, the Rome of Portugal, is the spiritual home of the country with thirty five churches chiming across the city. There is a rich cultural heritage marked by impressive religious festivals and architecture. Everywhere in the old town visitors will encounter fine old burghers' houses and noble mansions built of granite in an imposing style characteristic of this city. The Cathedral was built in Romanesque style in the 11th century and was enriched with Manueline sculptures in the 14th century. Other outstanding churches are the Misericordia Church built in Italian Renaissance style during the 16th century, Santa Cruz that features a rococo façade, Sao Joao de Souto dating back to the 18th century and the Capela da Conceiçao from the 16th century. A good place to start exploring the centre of Braga is the Praca da Republica in the centre of the old town. Other interesting sites are the Paço Episcopal, formed by three buildings built between the 14th and 17th centuries, housing one of the largest libraries in Portugal. The 14th century Torre de Menagem in the city’s square, which is all that remains of the original fortifications and the Senhora de Sameiro, which is the third most visited pilgrim location in Portugal. The city is still Portugal's religious capital. Look around and you soon become aware of the weight of ecclesiastical power. The city's outlying districts also boast a selection of important religious buildings and sanctuaries, notably Bom Jesus, one of the country's most extravagant Baroque creations.
The Bom Jesus sanctuary is a notable example of pilgrimage site with a monumental, Baroque stairway that climbs 116 metres (381 feet). As the pilgrims climb the stairs, they encounter a theological programme. The Baroque steps, dotted with chapels, fountains and statues, symbolize the Fourteen Stations of the Cross. The culmination of the effort is the temple of God, the church on the top of the hill. Another important pilgrimage place is Monte Sameiro. It is reached by an enormous modern flight of steps, with a statue of Pope Pius IX at the foot. The mound is crowned with a marriage sanctuary. Inside the church, a staircase with 265 steps leads to the lantern of the cupola (at a height of 613 m) from which you have a panoramic view over the Minho. To the northwest you will see the Santa Luzia mountain dominating the Viana do Castelo to the northeast, the Serra do Gerês the Serra do Marão to the south east and, lower down, the relics of the historic city of Briteiros.
Barcelos - Probably the most famous symbol of Portugal, the colourful ceramic cockerel has its origins in the pretty town of Barcelos. Apart from the famous cock, another gem of Barcelos is the enormous weekly market held every Thursday in the Campo da Republica. This open square in the centre of the town is one of the largest of its kind in the country, and the market boasts a huge range of locally produced ceramics alongside other handcrafts and local goods. Other parts of interest in the town include the old Jewish quarter and the various streets lined with medieval and baroque houses. The town houses a variety of monuments - notably, the Constables House, the Campo de Republica and a Museum of Arts and Handicrafts - and an attractive riverside location it's an enjoyable enough place to spend half a day wandering around.