Braga is a city in the North of Portugal, founded in the year 16 before Christ in the name of a Roman Emperor and named Bracara Augusta. Conquered and destroyed in the 8th century by the Arabs, given it-s roman catholic religious importance, it was won back 200 years later and given its new name Braga in the 11th century when the process of its reorganization and reconstruction started.
Braga has a rich 2000 year history that can be still seen nowadays in the variety of churches, monuments, museums, as well as events and holidays. Here you have the oldest European Sacred Mountain - Bom Jesus, the oldest Portuguese Cathedral – Mosteiro de Tibães, wonderful 18th century buildings, gardens and parks to enjoy. One of the most popular local holiday is the Roman Braga – reliving the Bracara Augusta times with its street circus, pantomime and acting performances, fairs of handicraft products, games and activities of a daily Roman city life.
Braga was distinguished as the European Capital of Youth in 2012 for all its cultural, social, political and economical spheres with many projects and programmes for the young ones. A lovely place to live in or visit, for culture and history lovers.
