The Archiepiscopal Palace of Braga, Portugal

The palace started being built in the 14th century after some tensions between the crown and the archbishops led the later out of the castle and municipal hall. Throughout the centuries the palace was rebuilt and expanded, but a fire destroyed part of the building in 1866.
Following the upheaval of the Republican revolution and the schism with the church, in 1911 the archbishops were expelled from the palace and many possessions of the church were confiscated and sold, including five fountains in the interior gardens. During this period the palace was occupied by the military and civil services. In 1918 part of the building became the first D. Diogo de Sousa archaeological museum.
In the 1930s, after another fire destroyed part of the building, it underwent profound transformation and renovation to be used as a Public Library. In the 1970s the central and eastern wings were adapted to be used by the University of Minho and the D.Diogo the Sousa Museum moved to other premises.
Today the palace is divided into three main wings: the eastern wing, dating back from the 14th and 15th centuries but that was partially rebuilt in the 20th century in the neogothic style to maintain its medieval appearance; the western wing, built in the 18th century and an example of the Northern Portuguese Baroque; and the southern wing, a combination of buildings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Opening hours (Southern wing): 9.00 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 19.30

Entrance free

 Back to Braga


Local: Braga, Portugal

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