World Heritage Photos

Historic Centre of Guimãraes: Guimãraes is located in the Braga District in the northern part of Portugal, 57 km northeast of Porto. Guimãraes is regarded as the birth place of the country. Guimãraes played an important role in the formation of Portugal in the 12th century. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal was born here in 1106. Guimãraes also was the first capital city of Portugal before it was moved to Coimbra. The historic centre of Guimãraes is known for its medieval building techniques. The Praça de Santiago and Largo da Oliveira, two pittoresque town squares in the historic centre of Guimãraes, are surrounded by the medieval buildings of the Guimãraes. The most important monuments in the city are the Guimãraes Castle, the birth house of Afonso Henriques, the later King Afonso I of Portugal, and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, situated on the top of Monte Latito and surrounded by a forested park, the palace is situated in the heart of Guimãraes. Several other monuments in the city are the 16th century Convent of Santa Clara, now the Town Hall of Guimãraes, and the collegiate church, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, designated as a National Monument of Portugal. The Historic Centre of Guimãraes was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 2001.

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   Historic Centre of Guimãraes: The Padrão do Salado in the Largo da Oliveira, the Olive Square. The Padrão do Salado is a Gothic canopy shrine, it is covering a Norman cross. The shrine was raised in 1340 to commemorate the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Salado. It is situated in front of the Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, the Church of Our Lady of the Olive Tree.

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   Historic Centre of Guimãraes: Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, the Church of Our Lady of the Olive Tree. The church was built on the site of a convent. The church was dedicated to Our Lady of the Olive Tree in the 14th century. An olive tree was planted in front of the church to provide oil for the altar lamp of the church. The church has a Manueline bell tower.

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   Historic Centre of Guimãraes: A fountain in the Jardim do Carmo, the Carmel Garden. The small garden is situated in front of the Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the Church of Our Lady of Carmel, a small convent church built in the Baroque style. The Jardim do Carmo is a quiet park situated in the historic centre of Guimãraes.

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   Historic Centre of Guimãraes: The Palace of the Dukes of Bragança is situated on the top of the Monte Latito. One of the wings in the palace is an official residence of the President of Portugal. The 15th century palace is situated in the heart of Guimãraes and surrounded by a forested park. The Historic Centre of Guimãraes was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. 

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   Historic Centre of Guimãraes: The interior of the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, the medieval palace houses collections of furniture, tapestries, carpets, ceramics and weaponry, some of the furniture was created in the former colonies of Portugal and some of the ceramic objects were acquired in China by the Portuguese East India Company. Nowadays, the palace is a museum.

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   Historic Centre of Guimãraes: The Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, the imposing wooden roof of the Banqueting Hall. The medieval ducal palace is the former residence of the first Dukes of Bragança, it fell into dispair after the 16th century when the duke moved to Vila Viçosa. In the beginning of the 20th century, the palace was restored to its former glory.

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   Historic Centre of Guimãraes: Guimãraes Castle was built in the 10th century and enlarged and strengthened in the 12th century. The keep was constructed in the 13th century. The first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, was born in Guimãraes Castle in 1106. The church were he was baptised, the Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo, is situated in the vicinity of the castle.