Castelo de Bragança

Castle and Museum in Bragança

Bragança Castle, a prime example of medieval architecture, dates back to 1409 when it was ordered to be built by King João I. Its foundations can be traced back to the reign of the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. With its imposing keep and double wall, it has withstood the test of time remarkably well.

The central parade ground, known as the citadel or old town, is home to the church of Santa Maria and the Domus Municipalis, and still retains its medieval character with narrow streets and small whitewashed houses. Inside the keep, which is 17 metres wide and 33 metres tall, one can find notable Gothic features such as the battlements, railed windows and the stone carved arms of the Casa Real de Avis (Royal House of Avis), founded by King João I.

The Military Museum is also located inside the castle, and it is well worth the climb to the top floor for the stunning views over the city and surrounding countryside. The castle is completed by fifteen towers and three gateways, including the Torre da Princesa (Tower of the Princess), which belonged to the Casa dos Alcaides and houses the legend of a princess taken prisoner, and the Porta da Vila (Town Gateway), which welcomes visitors to the castle.

The Castelo de Bragança appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bragança!

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