Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Known as Bragantia to the Celts and Juliobriga to the Romans, Bragança is an ancient
city. Its location, mere kilometres from the Spanish border, made it an important post in
the centuries-long battles between Spain and Portugal. The walled citadel was built in
1130 by Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques I. His son and successor, Sancho I, im-
proved the fortifications by building Bragança's castle, with its watchtowers, dungeons
and keep, in 1187, after reclaiming the city from the king of León.
In 1442 Afonso V created the Duchy of Bragança for his uncle, an illegitimate son of
the first Avis king João I, thus launching one of Portugal's wealthiest and most powerful
noble families. The Braganças assumed the Portuguese throne in 1640, ending Spain's
60-year domination of Portugal. The family went on to reign in Portugal until the dissolu-
tion of the monarchy in 1910.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Bragança again served as an important strategic point
against foreign invaders: it was from here that Sepúlveda launched his call to resistance
against French forces.
