Arcade

Category: Civil Architecture > Arcade

District: Braga > Braga > Braga > São João do Souto

Location

The Arcada is located in the heart of Braga, in Praça da República, a central and highly dynamic point. Its privileged location in the historic city center gives it natural visibility, making it one of the most recognized and frequented urban spaces in the city. It is a place that integrates into the daily life of Braga, serving as a link between different urban areas.

Past and Present Form

What we know today as Arcada has evolved over the centuries. In the 16th century, structures known as "Alpendres" existed on the site, near the old Braga Castle, functioning as a customs house and an important market. These "Alpendres" were a fundamental commercial and social hub, connecting the city to the surrounding countryside and overseeing trade.

In the early 18th century, Archbishop D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles promoted a significant expansion of these structures, resulting in a more monumental and classically inspired version, notable for its fourteen arches. The current configuration of the Arcada, dating from the 20th century, features a total of nineteen arches, with eight on each side and three in the central part, giving it the distinctive image that is now integrated into Braga's urban landscape.

Braga's Social Heart

Unlike the "baixa" (downtown) that in many Portuguese cities represents their most noble center, in Braga, the Arcada plays a particularly strong social and convivial role. It is a place where one can observe the city's pulse, with many inhabitants, especially the more experienced ones, choosing this space to gather daily.

This meeting point is a stage for daily life, where conversations are exchanged and the rhythm of Braga is followed. Although the square has had various names throughout history, such as Largo da Lapa or, currently, Praça da República, it is the popular and traditional designation of "Arcada" that remains in the collective memory and identity of the city, underscoring its value as a point of reference and social interaction.