The confrontation between D. Teresa and his son Afonso Henriques marked one of the founding moments of the history of Portugal. The battle between mother and son, which took place in 1128, would dictate the political course of the territory and make the way to the independence of Portucalense County. The episode is not just a milestone in the national narrative, but the starting point of Portuguese identity.
It was in Guimarães, on the outskirts of the current city, that the troops of Afonso Henriques faced the forces of his mother, then conductor of the county. According to the Vortexmag portal, the Battle of St. Mamede took place on June 24, 1128 and ended with the victory of the future king, which led to D. Teresa’s expulsion to Galicia. This event was worth the Guimarães the designation of the Breed City of Portugal.
Where it all started: between swords and castles
According to the same source, the conflict was not only military but also political, reflecting tensions between local nobles and the growing influence of Castilian nobles. Afonso Henriques’s victory represented a break with the dominance of Leo and Castile and the affirmation of a new autonomous power.
Even today, this legacy can be visited. Guimarães Castle is one of the most emblematic in the country and is directly associated with the Foundation of Portugal. A few meters, the palace of the Dukes of Bragança presents itself as an architectural testimony of the period, integrating in a historic center classified as a world heritage.
A route to the mountain
In addition to the historical past, Guimarães offers less war but equally striking experiences. Portugal’s first cable car was inaugurated in this city on March 11, 1995. With a course of 1,700 meters, it connects the urban center to Mountain da Penha, at an altitude of 400 meters.
It refers to the same source that the trip lasts ten minutes and allows you to observe the city and the surroundings to the sea. At the top of the mountain is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmo da Penha, inserted in an extensive natural heritage with rock formations and diverse vegetation.
Leisure, worship and nature in the same place
Writes the same publication that the mountain has infrastructures for visitors: restaurants, hotel, bars, pedestrian rails, mini -golf, cyclocrosse circuit and camping park. The conjugation between religious worship and leisure makes Penha one of the most sought after points in the region.
Below, the historic center continues to attract visitors. St. James Square, Largo da Oliveira and the Church of Our Lady of Oliveira are emblematic spaces. The Alberto Sampaio Museum, according to the real estate purchase and sale portal, keeps pieces such as D. João I’s “Loudel”, used at the Battle of Aljubarrota, and other testimonies in national history.
Gastronomy that binds to the earth
The visit to Guimarães is also made at the table. According to the same publication, the Minho tradition is expressed in dishes, such as rockets with porridge of sarrabulho, rice of picking, cod with bread or octopus to the lagareiro. Conventual Srysheet includes Guimarães Pie and the Short Tap, available in local pastries.
These flavors are part of the city’s heritage and reinforce the connection between the past and the present, between what is lived and what is remembered. Like the castle or cable car, cuisine also participates in the construction of local identity.
To see calmly, even by bicycle
For those who want to prolong their stay, the city offers various possibilities. The city park, with lawy areas and well -defined rails, can be your choice for family tours. The Ecovia de Guimarães, about 34 kilometers, follows along Rio Ave and can be explored on foot or by bicycle.
Finally, less than 20 minutes by car, there are the Taipas Spa, a space for welfare and relaxation sought by residents and tourists. The José de Guimarães International Arts Center, with works by the homonymous artist, completes the cultural offer with exhibitions of painting, sculpture and facilities.
Also read:
