Sacred Hill

Category: Nature > Park

District: Braga > Guimarães > Guimarães > Colina Sagrada

Location

The Sacred Hill, also known as Monte Latito, rises in the heart of Guimarães and is recognized as the monumental epicentre of the city. Its prominent position in the urban landscape offers a significant perspective on the history and development of Guimarães, marking the founding site of the Portuguese nation.

This green area, covering approximately ten hectares, integrates organically into the hill's topography, providing a tranquil environment with extensive lawns and a diversity of trees, such as plane trees, chestnut trees, and cypress trees, which contribute to the beauty and serene atmosphere of the place.

The Cradle of Nationality

At the top of the Sacred Hill, visitors are immediately confronted with the Statue of D. Afonso Henriques, a bronze work by Soares dos Reis, inaugurated in 1887. This representation of the first king of Portugal, in a warlike posture with sword and shield, symbolizes the determination and strength of the nation's founder, being one of the most widely disseminated images of the monarch.

Immediately behind the statue rises the imposing Guimarães Castle, one of the most emblematic symbols of Portuguese identity. Built in the 10th century, initially as a defensive tower by order of Countess Mumadona Dias, the castle is intrinsically linked to the Battle of São Mamede, which occurred in 1128. This confrontation, led by D. Afonso Henriques, was crucial for the assertion of the territory's independence, and the victory is still annually commemorated as a milestone in the formation of Portugal.

Palace of the Dukes of Braganza: History and Art

One of the most magnificent buildings on the Sacred Hill is the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a majestic 15th-century stately residence. Commissioned by D. Afonso, the first Duke of Braganza, this palace stands out for its unique architecture in the Iberian Peninsula, notable for its 39 distinct chimneys.

After a period of abandonment and use as a military barracks, the palace underwent extensive restoration work, aiming to recreate the atmosphere of a noble European residence from the 15th and 16th centuries. Currently, the building functions as a house-museum, housing a valuable collection of decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries. Among the various collections, particular attention should be given to the replicas of the Pastrana Tapestries, which illustrate episodes of the Portuguese conquests in North Africa.

Spaces of Devotion and Memory

In the vicinity of the castle is the Church of São Miguel do Castelo, a national monument which, according to tradition, witnessed the baptism of D. Afonso Henriques. Inside, it is possible to observe the baptismal font that may have been used in the ceremony and, on the central floor, identify tombs of warriors who supported the monarch in the Battle of São Mamede.

Next to the Palace of the Dukes, the Chapel of Santa Cruz features a Mannerist design and simple lines, dated 1639. Near the statue of D. Afonso Henriques is the former Convent of Santo António dos Capuchos, a 17th-century building that, after a period as a hospital, was rehabilitated. Now, it allows visitors to explore its church, the magnificent 18th-century sacristy, and its courtyards and cloister, revealing the history and religious architecture of the site.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt