Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History & Culture
Prior to becoming the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães was settled during the Chalcolithic
period and used as a spa town by the Romans. However, the roots of the city are dated
from the 10
th
Century when Countess Mumadona Dias had a monastery constructed where
Guimarães is today along with a castle and watchtower to protect the monastery from
Moorish invasion. In 1096, Guimarães was chosen as the capital of the County of Portugal
and throughout the 12
th
Century Afonso Henriques was residing in the castle and using it
as his base for conquering the Moors.
As the city expanded in the 13
th
Century, large defensive walls were constructed which di-
vided Guimarães into the low city and the high city. However, during the reign of John I in
the early 15
th
Century, the walls were torn down, uniting the city and leading to expansion
beyond the walls. Little changed in the structure of the city until 1853, when Queen Maria
II ordered the complete destruction of the walls to allow for new streets and avenues to be
constructed, helping to preserve its historical centre.
