Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Guimarães Castle
Attractions & Activities
The first port of call in Guimarães should be a remaining section of the wall which once
surrounded the high city, where large white letters announce 'Aqui Nasceu Portugal' (Por-
tugal was born here). Making your way through the UNESCO World Heritage listed city
centre is like walking around an open-air museum, however, there are numerous specific
attractions which should be pencilled in when visiting.
The spectacular José de Guimarães International Centre of Arts houses a superb collection
of ancient art, the Santa Clara Convent is home to the Alberto Sampaio Museum which dis-
plays a range of religious iconography, and the magnificent Gothic São Francisco Church is
one of the finest in the city. Of course, there is also the wondrous castle perched on the edge
of the city, built in the 10
th
Century and the location from which the Moors were conquered.
Nearby the castle, the Ducal Palace features an impressive collection of tapestries and ar-
moury.
