Palace of the Dukes of Braganza

Guimarães, Portugal

The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (Paço dos Duques de Bragança) is a medieval estate and former residence of the first Dukes of Braganza, located in the historical centre of Guimarães, in the north-western part of Portugal.

It was initiated between 1420 and 1422 by Afonso, Count of Barcelos, the illegitimate son of John I of Portugal (and future Duke of Bragança), after his marriage to his second wife. His prodigeny would occupy the space until the Dukes of Braganza moved to Vila Viçosa, abandoning the palace. The 16th Century marked the beginning of period of ruin, which was aggravated during the 19th century, when the local population used the palace as a personal quarry. During the Estado Novo regime, a controversial restoration restored the Palace, while implying a grandeur that may not have existed.

References:

Wikipedia

Palaces, manors and town halls in Portugal

Address

Rua Conde Dom Henrique 3, Guimarães, Portugal

See all sites in Guimarães

Details

Founded: 1420-1422
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Portugal

More Information

www.portugalvisitor.com
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Church of São Miguel do Castelo (0,1 km)
Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Church (0,4 km)
Guimarães Castle (0,2 km)
Historic Centre of Guimarães (0,2 km)
São Romão de Arões Church (6,2 km)

Dom Luís I Bridge (43,2 km)
Livraria Lello (42,9 km)
Sacred Art and Archaeology Museum (43,2 km)
Porto Cathedral (43,1 km)
Historic Centre of Porto (42,7 km)
Clérigos Church (43 km)
Church of São Francisco (43,5 km)
Palácio da Bolsa (43,4 km)
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte (14 km)

User Reviews

Andrew Long (3 years ago)
Impressive granite Palace which you can buy a combined ticket to also see castle for €6. Rooms are well laid out and overall quality of building maintenance is good. Building has lifts so it's totally disabled friendly. Could do with a tea room.

Adele Jungling (3 years ago)
Beautiful tree works and sculptures. Good energy. Nice chapel

Stanisław T (3 years ago)
The palace is beautiful. Especially the chapel. In my opinion the castle itself is not a must see. I’d definitely advise to stroll around the general area of those establishments.

Loli (3 years ago)
Worth visiting. The town is also pleasant to walk around.

Kasper Geeroms (3 years ago)
Fantastic palace. The chimneys make the building’s silhouette unique and interesting. The expo inside is a bit on the short side.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright itmpa

Historic Site of the week

Dryburgh Abbey

Dryburgh Abbey on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders was founded in 1150 in an agreement between Hugh de Morville, Constable of Scotland, and the Premonstratensian canons regular from Alnwick Abbey in Northumberland. The arrival of the canons along with their first abbot, Roger, took place in 1152.

It was burned by English troops in 1322, after which it was restored only to be again burned by Richard II in 1385, but it flourished in the fifteenth century. It was finally destroyed in 1544, briefly surviving until the Scottish Reformation, when it was given to the Earl of Mar by James VI of Scotland. It is now a designated scheduled monument and the surrounding landscape is included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.

David Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan bought the land in 1786. Sir Walter Scott and Douglas Haig are buried in its grounds.