Duke of Bragança Palace
Built between 1420 and 1433 by order of the eighth Count of Barcelos, Dom Afonso, illegitimate son of King Dom João I, the Palace was the residence of the Dukes of Bragança during the 15th century, a title granted by his brother Dom Pedro, giving rise to one of the richest and most powerful manor houses on the Iberian Peninsula, the House of Bragança.
Despite being the residence of Dukes in the 15th century, it was subsequently abandoned and consequently ruined in the following centuries and was adapted to military barracks in the 19th century during the French invasions.
It was in the following century, between 1937 and 1959, that the Duke of Bragança Palace underwent a complex and extensive renovation, based on a project by the architect Rogério de Azevedo.
At the same time, the current collection was acquired, consisting of art pieces dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, with special emphasis on tapestries, furniture, ceramics, paintings and armaments.
The Duke of Bragança Palace opened to the public on 25th June 1959, the year in which it also became the official residence of the President of the Republic in the north of the country.
Let yourself be taken by the grandeur and beauty of this space and don't forget to visit the São Miguel Church and the Guimarães Castle, all located on the Monte Latito, a gardened space of about 39 thousand square metres that serves as a leisure area for strolling between these three National Monuments.
We look forward to your visit!