Largo do Toural

Square in Guimarães

Largo Do Toural
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Halley Oliveira

Largo do Toural holds a significant place as one of the most central and crucial squares in the city of Guimarães, Portugal. It has a rich history that dates back to the 17th century when it was used as a marketplace to sell oxen and other goods.

Although it was once located outside the city walls, it is now recognized as the heart of Guimarães. In 1791, the Council assigned the land next to the wall for the construction of buildings. These buildings were erected according to a plan that possibly originated from Lisbon, and this marked the commencement of Toural’s gradual transformation.

In the latter half of the century, the Public Garden was constructed, which was enclosed by an iron railing and opened to the public in 1878. The garden featured new iron architecture that included urban furniture such as a gazebo, urinal, benches, and lamps. However, when the Republic was established, the Public Garden was relocated to another area, and the statue of D. Afonso Henriques was then positioned in the center of Toural, which underwent renovation. A few years later, the statue was transferred to Parque do Castelo, and an eye-catching Artistic Fountain was put in its place.

The Largo do Toural appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Guimarães!

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Visiting Largo do Toural

Address: Largo do Toural, Guimaraes, Portugal
Duration: 30 minutes

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Tours and Activities from Guimarães

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