Braga :

Braga is the city known as the "Portuguese Rome" for its concentration of religious architecture. The city is located in the North of Portugal, in Portugal, Braga's population is considered the most conservative, and by some the most pious, by others the most fanatic. The city is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal.

As still the home of Portugal's Bishops there are many churches and the Antigo Paço Episcopal is a fine reminder of the past. The façade of this Archbishops Palace dates from the 14th Century with changes in both the 17th and 18th Centuries. Unfortunately a fire in the 18th Century destroyed its fine interior and it is now used to house books and clerical records. At present there is an intensive project to expose the Roman remains within the City that are believed to be of considerable size, and considered among the largest in the Iberian Peninsular.

The 14th Century Torre de Menagem that stands in the City's square is all that remains of the original fortifications. The much altered and extended 12th Century Cathedral was built on the site of an older church destroyed in the 6th Century. Today, it also acts as the home of a prestigious collection of Portugal's religious statues, garments and other treasures. Amongst other important religious relics is the Cross used at the first mass celebrated in Brazil by Saint Francis Xavier.

Another building of note is the 16th Century Palácio dos Biscainhos that was originally an aristocratic lavish home with ornate interesting gardens. On display within the palace is Portuguese period furniture and many other ethnographic items. In one of the minor streets close to the 17th Century Baroque Church Santa Cruz is the ornate and blue tiled façade of the palace known as Palácio do Raio.

On the overlooking forested slope to the east of the town is one of Portugal's most famous tourist attraction, Igreja de Bom Jesus de Monte. It is an impressive Baroque staircase symbolic of the 14 Stations of the Cross that lead upwards to a late 18th Century Church. Ornately carved figures and wall-fountains and Chapels decorate the steps according to the various stages of Christ's last journey.

If daunted by the climb there is a primitive funicular railway dating from 1882 that runs-up alongside the steps and will take the visitor to the top. The area is famous for its wine, melons and other fruits.