But not before another breakfast of pastries! Tried a couple more things including this thin-like biscuit, which is supposed to look like the crossing of legs. It was OK. And I had to have 1 last Nata while in Portugal, unfortunately the better ones are still found in Porto or Lisbon.
But the Almond Croissant still a fave!
I casually took a walk before joining the Braga free walking tour which lasted for a duration of 2 hours.
We were told that Braga is a city of Archbishops as there are over 100 churches across Braga, and a number of monuments in the city were ordered to be built by different Archbishops, including this arch.
An architect was hired and created the female symbol of the city, as he envisaged the city of Braga to be a female, but yet strong as represented by the spear in her hand, and holding a building of Braga in the other.
Apparently there's a saying that goes "Braga prays, Porto works, Coimbra study, Lisbon spends". One of the guests on the tour said "so many churches, means a town full of sinners"? 😂
The same icon can also be found at the Fountain of Castles, located outside the University Do Minho. Before this was a University, it used to be the place where the archbishops speak, especially since it is located just next to the Braga Cathedral.
The city has over years of history, and we were told that the Romans founded Braga in 16BC.
There still exists a few towers, walls and roman ruins in the city, with even occasionally still finding some roman ruins, when buildings get renovated.
Torre de Menagem is one of the last two towers left in Braga. It's now a museum that holds 2,000 years of history of Braga, and said to have a very good view of the city from the top. Unfortunately it has been closed for some time due to covid.
The Romans are such a big thing here that every year in May (May 25 - 29 in 2022) Braga Roman festival is held, where everyone is dressed up in Roman outfits and even the food served is a reflection of what was available during the Roman times.
There was a lot of focus about the main cathedral during the tour and the guide mentioned about how symmetry is an important element in almost every landmark or landscape feature that is built.
Including this beautiful gardens of Jardim de Santa Barbara. All those flowers are so pretty!
I casually took a walk before joining the Braga free walking tour which lasted for a duration of 2 hours.
We were told that Braga is a city of Archbishops as there are over 100 churches across Braga, and a number of monuments in the city were ordered to be built by different Archbishops, including this arch.
An architect was hired and created the female symbol of the city, as he envisaged the city of Braga to be a female, but yet strong as represented by the spear in her hand, and holding a building of Braga in the other.
Apparently there's a saying that goes "Braga prays, Porto works, Coimbra study, Lisbon spends". One of the guests on the tour said "so many churches, means a town full of sinners"? 😂
The same icon can also be found at the Fountain of Castles, located outside the University Do Minho. Before this was a University, it used to be the place where the archbishops speak, especially since it is located just next to the Braga Cathedral.
The city has over years of history, and we were told that the Romans founded Braga in 16BC.
There still exists a few towers, walls and roman ruins in the city, with even occasionally still finding some roman ruins, when buildings get renovated.
Torre de Menagem is one of the last two towers left in Braga. It's now a museum that holds 2,000 years of history of Braga, and said to have a very good view of the city from the top. Unfortunately it has been closed for some time due to covid.
The Romans are such a big thing here that every year in May (May 25 - 29 in 2022) Braga Roman festival is held, where everyone is dressed up in Roman outfits and even the food served is a reflection of what was available during the Roman times.
There was a lot of focus about the main cathedral during the tour and the guide mentioned about how symmetry is an important element in almost every landmark or landscape feature that is built.
Including this beautiful gardens of Jardim de Santa Barbara. All those flowers are so pretty!
We were also shown the slimmest building in Braga.
One of our last couple stops was the Church of St. Marcus. This used to be a cathedral, then got converted to a hospital up until 2011,and now the left wing is a hotel and the right wing has a pharmacy.
Next to it is the Cathedral of Santa Clara which is still actively used as a church. With all the gold trimmings, it looked more like a theatre on the inside.
One of our last couple stops was the Church of St. Marcus. This used to be a cathedral, then got converted to a hospital up until 2011,and now the left wing is a hotel and the right wing has a pharmacy.
Next to it is the Cathedral of Santa Clara which is still actively used as a church. With all the gold trimmings, it looked more like a theatre on the inside.
Another square we passed through was Praça da República, a really beautiful square and one of my favourites in this city.
From here, one can also see Bom do Jesus in the distance on a clear day.
There are also signs of preparation for the big festival that will be celebrated in the city in the coming weeks with some buildings being decorated up.
We were also told of a Christmas tradition that is only available in Braga, where bananas are eaten together with Moscato on Christmas eve at the House of Banana shop. Apparently this celebration had been trademark and no other shops or restaurants can sell it as a combination, other than House of Banana.
One place which was not covered on the walking tour that I really liked was Palácio do Raio. It is a monumental palace built between 1754 and 1755 and exemplifies both typical features of the so-called Baroque “joanino”, as well as the then current influential European trends, and specifically, French, the “rococo” tiles.
Some other random views of the city...
There are also signs of preparation for the big festival that will be celebrated in the city in the coming weeks with some buildings being decorated up.
We were also told of a Christmas tradition that is only available in Braga, where bananas are eaten together with Moscato on Christmas eve at the House of Banana shop. Apparently this celebration had been trademark and no other shops or restaurants can sell it as a combination, other than House of Banana.
One place which was not covered on the walking tour that I really liked was Palácio do Raio. It is a monumental palace built between 1754 and 1755 and exemplifies both typical features of the so-called Baroque “joanino”, as well as the then current influential European trends, and specifically, French, the “rococo” tiles.
After the tour, I headed over to Tábuas, Copos & Outras Cenas for lunch - what I liked about this place was the possibility of ordering much smaller portions so that I can order a couple more items for 1 person.
I ended up with "Montandinho" of Smoked Mackerel, Shrimps Little Bags and Eggs Sliced on Mushrooms.
And then it was time to leave Braga and Portugal!
I've spent 3.5 weeks in Portugal and if given the chance and time, I could have easily spent more! I have been very pleasantly surprised with Portugal, as there are more things to see and do in the country than expected.
There's still places in Portugal I would love to see and revisit, and I hope I will get a chance to do so one day soon.
Till then, Obrigada Portugal and Ciao!
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