Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Historic center · Guimarães, Braga
Centro Histórico de Guimarães e Largo da Oliveira
Medieval center, a World Heritage Site since 2001, with Largo da Oliveira, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, the Padrão do Salado, Praça de Santiago and granite houses with wooden balconies.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Centro Histórico de Guimarães e Largo da Oliveira
Guimarães' historic center preserves its medieval layout, with narrow streets, granite houses and wooden and iron balconies. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001 for the authenticity of the restoration carried out by the city itself.
Largo da Oliveira is the heart of the center. There stand the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, the former Paços do Concelho supported by arches, and the Padrão do Salado, a small Gothic temple that recalls the Battle of Salado in 1340.
Adjacent to the largo, Praça de Santiago has old houses and terraces. Rua de Santa Maria, one of the oldest streets, climbs up to the castelo.
At Largo do Toural, on a tower of the old city wall, the phrase 'Aqui nasceu Portugal' is written. The Museu Alberto Sampaio, next to the Igreja da Oliveira, houses sacred art and goldsmithing.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours on foot.
Best time
In the late afternoon and at night, when the squares' terraces fill up. In the morning the streets are calmer for photos.
How to get there
It is about 1 km on foot from Estação de Guimarães.
Tip
Stroll unhurriedly along Rua de Santa Maria between Largo da Oliveira and the castle.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Centro Histórico de Guimarães e Largo da Oliveira
What to see in the historic center of Guimarães?
The Largo da Oliveira, the Praça de Santiago, the Rua de Santa Maria and the phrase "Here Portugal was born", at Largo do Toural.
What is the Padrão do Salado?
A Gothic shrine in the Largo da Oliveira that commemorates the Battle of Salado in 1340.
Since when has it been a World Heritage Site?
Since 2001.