Braga
Braga (Bracara Augusta) was founded by the Romans from the year 27 B.C. It was the capital of the Roman province of Galicia, in the third century. It was conquered by the Swabians, who made it the capital of his kingdom (V century) and later by the Visigoths. At this time, it was an important religious center. Between the eighth century and the tenth century, it was invaded by the Arabs, having been totally destroyed. In the eleventh century, it resurfaces in the shadow of the cathedral and the power of the archbishops, Braga masters.
Braga (Bracara Augusta) was founded by the Romans from the year 27 B.C. It was the capital of the Roman province of Galicia, in the third century. It was conquered by the Swabians, who made it the capital of his kingdom (V century) and later by the Visigoths. At this time, it was an important religious center. Between the eighth century and the tenth century, it was invaded by the Arabs, having been totally destroyed. In the eleventh century, it resurfaces in the shadow of the cathedral and the power of the archbishops, Braga masters.
In 1494 left the Braga John Gherlinc press the first printed Braga breviary. In the sixteenth century humanist, D. Diogo de Sousa, a true prince of the Renaissance, Braga archbishop (1505-1532), undertakes the profound transformation of the medieval old town (with 24 streets and 800 houses), both in urban and in culture. Enrich Cathedral with a majestic apse. Open streets and squares inside and outside the walls (Campo da Vinha, Carvalheiras, Hortas, Remédios). He founded the S. Marcos Hospital. Enche Braga de fontes e de esculturas.Fills Braga sources and sculptures. It tears the big mall called Campo de Sant’Anna, today Avenida Central. But it is also at this time that accentuate the eminently religious characteristics of Braga, through the foundation of countless monasteries, convents (S. Frutuoso, Remédios, S. Paulo, Pópulo, Salvador), colleges, seminaries, brotherhoods, etc. It is this development that strongly affects the mentality and way of life of the inhabitants of Braga.
Braga, no início do século XVIII, aparece-nos como uma cidade piedosa, fechada, voltada para dentro de si mesma, protegida pelas gelosias e adufas que, surgidas nas casas religiosas, rapidamente se espalham por todo o conjunto urbano.
In the eighteenth century, the city is evident in the style of architecture – baroque – that deeply marks. At this time, it appears that it can be considered the greatest genius of Braga art, André Soares. The it must, among other works, the Casa da Câmara, o Palacete do Raio and Congregados Church.
At this point Braga centered an important part of the trade that dominated the countryside. From the nineteenth century, begins a process of adulteration and destruction of its historical center. To this contributed, on the one hand, the French invasions and liberal fights that hit hard Braga with its immense drying of robberies, lootings and destructions; on the other, attempts to “modernize” the city, which led to the destruction of important monuments and the almost total disfigurement of medieval and sixteenth-century city. This destruction, which extends to the present day, in contrast to the development and increasing importance of Braga, true heart of Minho.