Braga, city and concelha (municipality), northern Portugal. It lies at the head of the railway from Porto.

Probably founded in 296 bce by Carthaginians, Braga was called Bracara Augusta by the Romans. It served as capital of the Callaici Bracarii, a Celtic tribe, and was a meeting place for five strategic military roads. The city was taken successively by the Suebi (5th century) and the Visigoths (585). Braga is known as the place where the Visigoths renounced the Arian and Priscillianist heresies against Christ’s divinity and against sensual pleasures. It was taken by the Moors in 716 and recaptured by Ferdinand I, king of Castile and Leon, in 1040. From 1093 to 1147 it was the seat of the Portuguese court. Braga is an archiepiscopal see, and its archbishop is the primate of Portugal.

The city’s principal landmarks include a 12th-century cathedral, rebuilt during the 16th century in the blend of Moorish and florid Gothic styles known as Manueline; the 17th-century church of Santa Cruz; and a library that contains many rare books and manuscripts. On a hill about 3 miles (5 km) southeast stands the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, which is visited on Pentecost by thousands of pilgrims and is famous for its 18th-century architectural staircase. A short distance beyond it is Mount Sameiro, atop which is situated a colossal statue of the Virgin Mary. The University of Minho was founded in Braga in 1973.

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The city’s industries include the manufacture of firearms, jewelry, cutlery, furniture, electronics, textiles, and hats. Large cattle fairs are held annually in June and September. Braga can be reached from Porto and Viana do Castelo by highway and railroad. Pop. (2001) city, 109,460; mun., 164,192; (2011 est.) city, 121,000; (2011) mun., 181,494.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias.

Minho

historical province, Portugal
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Also known as: Aquem-os-Montes, Entre Douro e Minho

Minho, historical provincia, northwesternmost Portugal. It was originally called Entre Douro e Minho, the region between the Minho and Douro rivers. The area was occupied by both the Celts and the Romans, the former having left numerous ruins called castra, or hill forts. There is a narrow coastal plain stretching for about 30 miles (50 km) from north to south and extending between 2 and 10 miles (3 and 16 km) inland to the Santa Luzia Mountains. The rest of the region consists of undulating plateaus traversed by deep valleys of the Minho, Lima, Cávado, and Ave rivers.

High population densities have encouraged intensive cultivation. Corn (maize) and haricot beans are important crops, and the field borders are used for fruit trees and vines. Modern techniques, including low vine supports, have advanced the production of rigorously controlled, high-quality vinho verde (green wine) and estate-bottled wines (grown and bottled by the vineyard owner). The use of irrigation and of terraced fields on slopes characterize the landscape. Stock rearing is important on the higher lands, and the timber industry is significant. Fishing is of local importance at Esposende, Viana do Castelo, and Âncora-Gontinhaes. Textiles are manufactured in Braga, the capital of the historical provincia, and Guimarães. Many buildings are constructed out of local gray granite. An increasing number of tourists are drawn to the beauty of the Minho, its cool weather, its old, attractive towns and markets, and its many fine manor houses.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.