Braga is a city and a town. It is the capital of the northwestern Portuguese district of Braga and of the historical and cultural Minho Province. The Braga Municipality had a population of 201,583 people in 2023. This makes it the seventh largest town in Portugal by population. The area of Braga is 183.40 square kilometers. The city’s urban area spreads to the Cávado River and is the third most populated urban area in Portugal, after the Lisbon and Porto Metropolitan Areas.

Braga is home to the oldest Portuguese archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Braga of the Catholic Church. It is also the seat of the Primacy of the Spains. During the Roman Empire, the city was known as Bracara Augusta and served as the capital of the Roman province of Gallaecia. Later, it became the capital of the Kingdom of the Suebi, one of the first territories to separate from the Roman Empire in the 5th century. Inside the city, there is a castle tower that visitors can explore.

Today, Braga is one of Portugal’s most important centers for business and technology. It is also a major hub in northern Portugal and an important stop on the Portuguese Way, a path along the Road of St. James. The city hosted two games during the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament and was named the European Youth Capital in 2012.

History

Human occupation of the region of Braga began thousands of years ago, with evidence of large structures from the Megalithic era. During the Iron Age, the Castro culture spread into the northwest, where the Bracari people lived in high, fortified settlements called castrum.

The area was later ruled by the Callaici Bracarii, a Celtic tribe that lived in what is now northern Portugal, Galicia, and Asturias in northwest Iberia.

The Romans started conquering the region around 136 BC and completed their control during the reign of Emperor Augustus. In 16 BC, the Romans created the city of Bracara Augusta, named after the Emperor. The city grew quickly during the 1st century and reached its largest size around the 2nd century.

In the late 3rd century, Emperor Diocletian made Bracara the capital of the Conventus bracarensis, a region in the new Roman province of Gallaecia. The poet Ausonius described Braga as a prosperous city in the 4th century. Between 402 and 470, Germanic invaders called the Suebi took control of the area. The city had a wall built in the 3rd century, and the old Roman amphitheater was turned into a fortress. In 410, the Suebi created a kingdom in northwest Iberia, with Bracara as their capital. This kingdom, led by Hermeric, lasted over 150 years. However, the arrival of the Visigoths caused instability. Between 419 and 422, Braga prepared for a siege and closed its gates, leading to the destruction of nearby areas. From 429 to 455, the Suebi regained control in Galicia and Lusitania. In 455, the Visigoth king Theodoric II attacked Braga, destroying many historical records. The Suebi king Rechiar fled to Porto. By 570, records of Braga’s dioceses and parishes still existed. By 584, the Visigoths took control of Gallaecia, and Braga became a provincial capital.

The Chapel of São Frutuoso, built by the Visigoths on top of a Roman temple to Asclepius, is now the oldest chapel in Portugal. It was made a royal chapel and consecrated by Saint Fructuosus in 656 AD.

Historical records show that Paternus was the first known bishop of Braga, who rejected priscillianism at the First Council of Toledo in 400 AD. Balconius, bishop from 415 to 447, attended a meeting in 435 where a German priest from Arabia shared news from the Council of Ephesus. Balconius also corresponded with Pope Leo I.

Tradition says Saint Peter of Rates was the first bishop of Braga, chosen by Saint James. Saint Ovidius, who died in 135 AD, is sometimes considered one of the earliest bishops.

Braga played a key role in spreading Christianity in Iberia. In the early 5th century, Paulus Orosius wrote theological works explaining the Christian faith. Saint Martin of Braga helped the Suebi reject Arian and Priscillianist beliefs during two synods in the 6th century. Rechiar, the Suebi king, was the first Germanic ruler in Europe to convert to Chalcedonian Christianity, before Clovis of the Franks. Martin also founded a monastery in Dumio and held councils in Braga. Paulus Orosius and Avitus of Braga tried to bring relics of Saint Stephen from the Holy Land to Braga, but the relics never arrived due to the Vandal invasion.

Later, the Archbishops of Braga claimed the title of "Primatus Totus Hispania," but their authority was not accepted across Hispania. Today, they hold the title of Primate of Portugal. Balconius, later the first Archbishop of Braga, was the first to be given this title.

The transition from Visigothic rule to the Muslim conquest of Iberia caused a decline in Braga. The Moors briefly captured Braga between 714–716 but were driven out by Christian forces in 741. They were finally removed in 868. The bishopric was restored in 1070 and elevated. Archbishop Peter of Braga began rebuilding the cathedral, which was changed many times over the centuries. Archbishop Diego Gelmírez of Santiago de Compostela stole Braga’s relics to reduce the city’s religious importance, but they returned in the 1990s.

After Alfonso III of Asturias divided his kingdom in 908, he gave Galicia to Ordoño of Galicia, who made Braga his capital. Between 1093 and 1147, Braga was the seat of the Portuguese court. In the early 12th century, Count Henry of Portugal and Bishop Geraldo de Moissac reclaimed Braga’s archbishopric, giving the archbishop power over a large area in Iberia. The medieval city developed around the cathedral, with the archbishop holding the most authority.

Braga was a major center of Christianity in Iberia during the Reconquista, until Santiago de Compostela and the conquest of Toledo in 1085. The Archbishop D. Paio Mendes helped Portugal gain independence by persuading Pope Alexander III to recognize Portugal as an independent kingdom in 1179. It is said that the future king D. Afonso I was baptized by Saint Gerald of Braga, though the exact location is unknown. D. Afonso gave Braga special privileges, placing it under direct Church control. This legal independence continued until the establishment of the Republic.

Geography

Braga is located in the center of Minho, in an area between the east and west of Portugal. This region includes mountains, forests, large valleys, plains, and fields, which create natural spaces shaped by human activity. Geographically, Braga covers an area of 184 square kilometers (71 square miles). It is bordered by the municipalities of Vila Verde and Amares to the north, Póvoa de Lanhoso to the northeast and east, Guimarães and Vila Nova de Famalicão to the south and southeast, and Barcelos to the west.

The land in Braga is marked by irregular valleys and mountainous areas, with rivers running parallel to the main rivers. To the north, the Cávado River forms a boundary, while to the south, the terrain rises to a height of 566 meters (1,857 feet) in the Serra dos Picos. To the east, the Serra dos Carvalhos reaches 479 meters (1,572 feet). The territory stretches from the northeast to the southwest, following the valleys of two rivers and their tributaries. These rivers create small flat areas ranging from 20 meters (66 feet) to 570 meters (1,870 feet) in elevation.

The municipality’s elevation ranges from 20 meters (66 feet) to 572 meters (1,877 feet), with the city center located at about 215 meters (705 feet). In the north, near the Cavado River, the land is mostly flat. To the east, mountains such as Serra do Carvalho (479 meters), Serra dos Picos (566 meters), Monte do Sameiro (572 meters), and Monte de Santa Marta (562 meters) dominate the landscape. Between Serra do Carvalho and Serra dos Picos lies the River Este, which forms the Vale d’Este valley. Between Serra dos Picos and Monte do Sameiro is the plateau of Sobreposta-Pedralva. To the south and west, the land includes a mix of mountains, plateaus, and medium-sized valleys. These areas allow the River Este to flow and create other river confluences, such as the River Veiga and River Labriosca, as well as several ravines.

Braga has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, similar to other cities in the northwest Iberian Peninsula, but with hotter summers due to its distance from the ocean. The highest recorded temperature is 42.2°C (108.0°F), and the lowest is −7°C (19.4°F). The Atlantic Ocean influences the region’s weather, bringing moist air through the valleys. This results in pleasant weather with distinct seasons. Humidity is often around 80% in the morning, and average temperatures range from 12.5°C (54.5°F) to 17.5°C (63.5°F). Frost occurs about 29 days a year, and the area receives 1,449 millimeters (57.0 inches) of rain annually, with the most rain falling in fall, winter, and spring.

Braga is densely populated, with about 962 people living per square kilometer, totaling approximately 181,474 residents in 2011. It is one of the most populous areas in Portugal and has a younger population compared to other regions. Most people live in the city of Braga itself, where population density exceeds 10,000 people per square kilometer.

The population of Braga includes about 78,954 men and 85,238 women. Around 35% of residents are under 25 years old, and 11% are seniors. About 54% of the population is of working age. Most residents are native Portuguese, but others include Brazilians, Africans (mainly from former Portuguese colonies), Chinese, and people from Eastern Europe, such as Ukrainians.

The city has about 70,268 homes (as of 2001), even though only 51,173 families live in the municipality. The extra homes are often temporary residences for students, migrant workers, and professionals. Many homes are also owned by Portuguese residents living abroad, who use them occasionally. The difference between permanent and temporary residents means the population of Braga varies between 174,000 and 230,000 people each year.

Between 1991 and 2001, Braga’s population grew by about 16.2%, with the most significant increases in older suburban areas such as Nogueira (124.6%), Frossos (68.4%), Real (59.8%), and Lamaçães (50.9%).

Administratively, Braga is divided into 37 civil parishes (freguesias). There is no formal city government; instead, the municipality is managed by the municipal government, with local administration handled by individual civil parish councils.

Economy

The main industries in the city are construction, metallurgy, mechanics, electrical and electronic equipment, software development, and web design. The computer industry is especially important. Braga is home to the headquarters of PRIMAVERA – Business Software Solutions SA (PRIMAVERA BSS), a Portuguese company that creates leading software for managing large projects. The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), a research center focused on nanotechnology, is also based in Braga. This center was created and supported by both the Portuguese and Spanish governments. The automotive industry has a long history in Braga. Aptiv operates a technical center in Braga for developing and producing automotive infotainment systems. This facility was previously owned by Grundig. Nearby, Robert Bosch GmbH operates a similar technical center, mainly for parts related to infotainment and sensors. This facility was previously founded by Blaupunkt. Bosch has been working closely with the University of Minho in Portugal since 2012, forming one of the country’s largest partnerships between a university and a company. Together, they are working on many projects related to future transportation. In 2018, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa visited Braga to mark the opening of a new technology campus. The university, which is located in Braga, is also a major contributor to the city’s economy.

Transport

The city of Braga has a small airfield called Aerodromo de Braga in Palmeira. The main international airport used by people in Braga is Sá Carneiro International Airport, also known as Porto Airport. This airport is located 50 kilometers (31 miles) away in the Porto Metropolitan Area. Travelers can reach the airport from Braga city center using public transportation, which takes about 40 minutes, or an aerobus, which takes about 50 minutes.

Braga is connected to major cities in the country and abroad through regional and high-speed rail services.

The city also has a well-organized bus network called TUB (Transportes Urbanos de Braga). This network includes 76 bus lines within the city and covers more than 300 kilometers (190 miles) of routes.

Architecture

The region of Braga has many monuments, buildings, and structures from the Neolithic, Roman, Medieval, and Modernist periods that attract visitors. While there are numerous examples of these structures, only the ones listed by the Instituto de Gestão do Património Arquitectónico e Arqueológico have been designated as National Monuments.

Museums

Also, many of the district's treasures and historical items are kept in several museums located in different parts of the city, such as:

Education

The city is the main campus and headquarters of the Universidade do Minho (Minho University), a public university established in 1973. A campus of the oldest private university in Portugal, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, has been located in the city since 1947. The Escola Secundária Sá de Miranda, the oldest secondary school in Braga, is also based there.

In the late 2000s, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory opened an international research center in the city. This laboratory focuses on scientific research and technological development and provides postgraduate education programs.

The Braga Pedagogical Farm is a facility that works with animals and agriculture. It hosts educational activities for schools and welcomes visitors for learning experiences outside of regular classes.

Sports

Sporting Clube de Braga (SC Braga), Braga's major sports club, was started in 1921. Its men's football team plays in the top league of Portuguese football, the Primeira Liga, at Braga Municipal Stadium. The stadium was built on Monte Castro hill, which looks over the city. SC Braga's football team achieved success in the early 2000s, including participating in the UEFA Champions League, winning the Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) twice, in 2016 and 2021, and reaching the UEFA Europa League final in 2011. They lost that final to FC Porto, another Portuguese team. These accomplishments helped improve SC Braga's position in the UEFA club rankings and changed the professional football scene in Portugal. Because of this, SC Braga is often called the fourth best football club in Portugal, behind the well-known "Big Three" teams.

ABC Braga, started in 1933, is a professional handball team that has won many important awards in the sport.

The Rampa da Falperra, a hillclimb event, has been held since 1950. Its history began in 1927. It is now part of the European Hillclimb Championship and takes place yearly near Braga.

The Circuito Vasco Sameiro race track and the Kartódromo Internacional de Braga (KIB) kart track are located near the local airfield. The race track hosted events in the European Touring Car Cup in 2009 and 2010. The KIB has also held rounds of the Karting World Championship.