Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 41.54999762154137, -8.426901653315017

The Sé de Braga, or Cathedral of Braga, is located in the parish of Braga (Maximinos, Sé and Cividade), city and municipality of Braga, district of the same name, in Portugal.

It is the seat of the bishopric founded, according to tradition, by São Tiago Maior, who left his disciple, São Pedro de Rates, as the first bishop. Due to this apostolic origin, it is considered the Sacrosanct Primatial Basilica of the Iberian Peninsula, and its Archbishop, Primate of Spain. It has its own liturgy, the Braga liturgy.

Considered a center of episcopal irradiation and one of the most important Romanesque temples in the country, here are the tombs of Henrique de Burgonha, count of Portucale and his wife, Teresa de Leão, parents of D. Afonso Henriques.

Braga Cathedral has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

History

It rests on the foundations of an ancient market or Roman temple dedicated to Isis, as witnessed by a votive stone on the east wall, and the walls of a later Early Christian basilica.

Its best-documented history dates back to the work of the first bishop, D. Pedro de Braga, and corresponds to the restoration of the Episcopal Cathedral in 1070, of which few traces remain.

In 1128, a building with five chapels at the apse was started, on the initiative of Archbishop Paio Mendes, partially destroyed by the earthquake of 1135. Respecting the architectural canons of the Clunician Benedictines, the works were directed by Nuno Paio.

In 1268 the works were not yet completed. The building continued to be modified with some artistic interventions, the galilee being particularly significant, built on the façade by D. Jorge da Costa in the early years of the 16th century and which would later be completed by D. Diogo de Sousa. The latter had the railings that now close it made, having also altered the main portico (destroying two of its archivolts) and ordered the execution of the apse and chancel, a work by João de Castilho dating from the beginning of the 16th century.

In 1688, the work campaign carried out by Archbishop Rodrigo de Moura Teles stood out, who modified the entire frontage in Baroque style, also having the dome that illuminates the crossing.

In the premises of the old house of the Chapter, built at the beginning of the 18th century by Archbishop D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles, there is currently the Treasure-Museum of the Cathedral of Braga.

In the 20th century, the tomb of the religious and stigmatized thaumaturge, Sister Maria Estrela Divina, was placed next to the cloisters, a center of great popular devotion. His collection of sacred relics was famous, including a piece of a mantle of the Virgin Mary, in the Chapel of Relics. There are chests that contain the bones of many Saints, and the so-called Sacred Ark is legendary, the contents of which will be remarkable, and used to go out in procession in the past, on days of solemn feasts.

Characteristics

Main temple

The Romanesque temple had a façade in this style, flanked by two bell towers where the main portal opens.

The interior consists of three naves, with six bays and a wooden roof, a developed transept and an apse with an apse surrounded by two apses.

The basic elements of this design are still preserved today, with the exception of the chevet.

Its altar is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The essence of the Romanesque sculpture of the Cathedral has survived until today, being concentrated in the portals (main and south side, the so-called "Porta do Sol") and in the capitals of the body of the temple. The front of the high altar, in flamboyant Gothic style, is a fragment of the initial altarpiece by Mestre Machim (c. 1510).

The church has two pipe organs: the organ on the Gospel side (1737) and the organ on the Epistle side (1739), works by Simãos Fontanes and decorated in carvings by Marceliano de Araújo.

Also notable is the tomb of Infante D. Afonso, son of João I of Portugal, of Flemish style and provenance; and the Gothic-Manueline baptismal font.

Chapel of Sao Geraldo

The primitive chapel, of which only the structure of the walls remains, was ordered to be erected by Archbishop Geraldo de Moissac, under the invocation of Saint Nicholas.

In 1418-1467 Archbishop Fernando da Guerra, after Geraldo de Moissac had been considered a saint, dedicated the Chapel to this former Archbishop of Braga, and the remains of the saint were buried in the main altarpiece.

The chapel is decorated in Baroque carvings; the tiles are attributed to the painter António de Oliveira Bernardes.

On the ground is the tomb of D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles.

Chapel of the kings

Following the example of the construction of the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória da Batalha, in fulfillment of a vote of thanks for the victory of the Portuguese arms in the Battle of Aljubarrota made by João I of Portugal, this chapel was erected in fulfillment of a similar vow, made by the then Archbishop of Braga, D. Lourenço Vicente, present at the same battle, in honor of the Virgin.

In Gothic style, here are the tombs of the parents of D. Afonso Henriques, Henrique de Burgonha, count of Portucale, and his wife, Teresa de Leão, and that of D. Lourenço Vicente.

Chapel of Our Lady of Glory

Built on the initiative of Archbishop D. Gonçalo Pereira for his funerary monument.

On November 17, 1331, Pope John XXII, through the bull "Marita tuae devotionis", granted D. Gonçalo Pereira authorization to spend 6000 gold florins, from the income of the archiepiscopal table, on the endowment of the chapel he planned to build.

The archbishop is buried in a Gothic tomb, similar to that of Queen Santa Isabel, in Coimbra, the work of two sculptors: masters Pero and Telo Garcia.

Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade Built on the initiative of Archbishop Diogo de Sousa in 1513, this is where his tomb is located, classified as a National Monument.

Church of Mercy in Braga

Temple included in the set of Braga Cathedral.

Cloister

The current cloister was built in the 19th century to replace an earlier one, Gothic, which already in the 18th century was threatening to collapse.

Here is the tomb of Sister Maria Estrela Divina, a Stigmatized Tertiary Religious, who died in the odor of sanctity.

There is another older cloister, called the Cloister of the Kings, since the Swabian kings are buried here, according to an ancient tradition.

Carillon

The first carillon of the Cathedral was inaugurated in the 17th century. Over the centuries, the Archbishops of Braga added new bells, making it one of the largest in the country.

In 1996, 23 bells were replaced. The bells taken down over the centuries from the Cathedral and the churches of Braga are gathered in the Treasure-Museum of the Cathedral of Braga, which contains more than 200 of these pieces.

Chronology

• 11th century - Construction of an episcopal church under the initiative of Bishop D. Pedro

• (1070-1091), on the remains of a large Roman building and another from the High Middle Ages;

• 1089 - Consecration of the same by Bernardo de Sedirac, archbishop of Toledo;

• 1096 / 1108 - construction of the chapel of S. Geraldo;

• 1118 / 1137 - beginning of the reconstruction of the Cathedral under the initiative of Archbishop D. Paio Mendes;

• 1135 - Collapse of the towers due to an earthquake;

• 1210 - D. Sancho I bequeathed 2,000 Morabitines to the Cathedral;

• 1212 / 1228 - Repairs to the sacristy and cloister and reconstruction of the chapel of S. Geraldo;

• 1326 / 1348 - D. Gonçalo Pereira orders the construction of the tomb chapel, known as the chapel of Glória, next to that of S. Geraldo, as well as painting the choir;

• 1374 - D. Lourenço Vicente orders the construction, next to the north wall of the Cathedral, in the place where the counts D. Henrique and D. Teresa were buried, a chapel, the chapel of the kings;

• 15th century - Date of the tomb of Infante D. Afonso of Portugal, son of D. João I;

• 1416 / 1467 - D. Fernando da Guerra endowed and restored the Library, as well as the chapel of S. Geraldo;

• 1486 / 1501 - Construction of the galilee;

• 1505 / 1532 - Archbishop D. Diogo de Sousa makes improvements to the axial portal, removing 2 arcades and the mullion; reconstruction of the chancel, designed by João de Castilho; construction of an altarpiece in ançã stone; restoration of the towers; reconstruction of the cloister; restoration of the chapel of S. Geraldo;

• 1513 - Construction of the chapel of Jesus of Mercy (N.ª Sra. da Piedade); Late 17th century - Construction of the large sacristy;

• 1704 / 1728 - Reform ordered by D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles; remodeling of side chapels; remodeling of the chapel of S. Geraldo; application of gilded carving; execution of windows for greater entry of light; execution of a dome on the cross and a dome next to the high-choir; renovation of the two façade towers;

Gallery

Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 41.54999762154137, -8.426901653315017

The Sé de Braga, or Cathedral of Braga, is located in the parish of Braga (Maximinos, Sé and Cividade), city and municipality of Braga, district of the same name, in Portugal.

It is the seat of the bishopric founded, according to tradition, by São Tiago Maior, who left his disciple, São Pedro de Rates, as the first bishop. Due to this apostolic origin, it is considered the Sacrosanct Primatial Basilica of the Iberian Peninsula, and its Archbishop, Primate of Spain. It has its own liturgy, the Braga liturgy.

Considered a center of episcopal irradiation and one of the most important Romanesque temples in the country, here are the tombs of Henrique de Burgonha, count of Portucale and his wife, Teresa de Leão, parents of D. Afonso Henriques.

Braga Cathedral has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

History

It rests on the foundations of an ancient market or Roman temple dedicated to Isis, as witnessed by a votive stone on the east wall, and the walls of a later Early Christian basilica.

Its best-documented history dates back to the work of the first bishop, D. Pedro de Braga, and corresponds to the restoration of the Episcopal Cathedral in 1070, of which few traces remain.

In 1128, a building with five chapels at the apse was started, on the initiative of Archbishop Paio Mendes, partially destroyed by the earthquake of 1135. Respecting the architectural canons of the Clunician Benedictines, the works were directed by Nuno Paio.

In 1268 the works were not yet completed. The building continued to be modified with some artistic interventions, the galilee being particularly significant, built on the façade by D. Jorge da Costa in the early years of the 16th century and which would later be completed by D. Diogo de Sousa. The latter had the railings that now close it made, having also altered the main portico (destroying two of its archivolts) and ordered the execution of the apse and chancel, a work by João de Castilho dating from the beginning of the 16th century.

In 1688, the work campaign carried out by Archbishop Rodrigo de Moura Teles stood out, who modified the entire frontage in Baroque style, also having the dome that illuminates the crossing.

In the premises of the old house of the Chapter, built at the beginning of the 18th century by Archbishop D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles, there is currently the Treasure-Museum of the Cathedral of Braga.

In the 20th century, the tomb of the religious and stigmatized thaumaturge, Sister Maria Estrela Divina, was placed next to the cloisters, a center of great popular devotion. His collection of sacred relics was famous, including a piece of a mantle of the Virgin Mary, in the Chapel of Relics. There are chests that contain the bones of many Saints, and the so-called Sacred Ark is legendary, the contents of which will be remarkable, and used to go out in procession in the past, on days of solemn feasts.

Characteristics

Main temple

The Romanesque temple had a façade in this style, flanked by two bell towers where the main portal opens.

The interior consists of three naves, with six bays and a wooden roof, a developed transept and an apse with an apse surrounded by two apses.

The basic elements of this design are still preserved today, with the exception of the chevet.

Its altar is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The essence of the Romanesque sculpture of the Cathedral has survived until today, being concentrated in the portals (main and south side, the so-called "Porta do Sol") and in the capitals of the body of the temple. The front of the high altar, in flamboyant Gothic style, is a fragment of the initial altarpiece by Mestre Machim (c. 1510).

The church has two pipe organs: the organ on the Gospel side (1737) and the organ on the Epistle side (1739), works by Simãos Fontanes and decorated in carvings by Marceliano de Araújo.

Also notable is the tomb of Infante D. Afonso, son of João I of Portugal, of Flemish style and provenance; and the Gothic-Manueline baptismal font.

Chapel of Sao Geraldo

The primitive chapel, of which only the structure of the walls remains, was ordered to be erected by Archbishop Geraldo de Moissac, under the invocation of Saint Nicholas.

In 1418-1467 Archbishop Fernando da Guerra, after Geraldo de Moissac had been considered a saint, dedicated the Chapel to this former Archbishop of Braga, and the remains of the saint were buried in the main altarpiece.

The chapel is decorated in Baroque carvings; the tiles are attributed to the painter António de Oliveira Bernardes.

On the ground is the tomb of D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles.

Chapel of the kings

Following the example of the construction of the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória da Batalha, in fulfillment of a vote of thanks for the victory of the Portuguese arms in the Battle of Aljubarrota made by João I of Portugal, this chapel was erected in fulfillment of a similar vow, made by the then Archbishop of Braga, D. Lourenço Vicente, present at the same battle, in honor of the Virgin.

In Gothic style, here are the tombs of the parents of D. Afonso Henriques, Henrique de Burgonha, count of Portucale, and his wife, Teresa de Leão, and that of D. Lourenço Vicente.

Chapel of Our Lady of Glory

Built on the initiative of Archbishop D. Gonçalo Pereira for his funerary monument.

On November 17, 1331, Pope John XXII, through the bull "Marita tuae devotionis", granted D. Gonçalo Pereira authorization to spend 6000 gold florins, from the income of the archiepiscopal table, on the endowment of the chapel he planned to build.

The archbishop is buried in a Gothic tomb, similar to that of Queen Santa Isabel, in Coimbra, the work of two sculptors: masters Pero and Telo Garcia.

Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade Built on the initiative of Archbishop Diogo de Sousa in 1513, this is where his tomb is located, classified as a National Monument.

Church of Mercy in Braga

Temple included in the set of Braga Cathedral.

Cloister

The current cloister was built in the 19th century to replace an earlier one, Gothic, which already in the 18th century was threatening to collapse.

Here is the tomb of Sister Maria Estrela Divina, a Stigmatized Tertiary Religious, who died in the odor of sanctity.

There is another older cloister, called the Cloister of the Kings, since the Swabian kings are buried here, according to an ancient tradition.

Carillon

The first carillon of the Cathedral was inaugurated in the 17th century. Over the centuries, the Archbishops of Braga added new bells, making it one of the largest in the country.

In 1996, 23 bells were replaced. The bells taken down over the centuries from the Cathedral and the churches of Braga are gathered in the Treasure-Museum of the Cathedral of Braga, which contains more than 200 of these pieces.

Chronology

• 11th century - Construction of an episcopal church under the initiative of Bishop D. Pedro

• (1070-1091), on the remains of a large Roman building and another from the High Middle Ages;

• 1089 - Consecration of the same by Bernardo de Sedirac, archbishop of Toledo;

• 1096 / 1108 - construction of the chapel of S. Geraldo;

• 1118 / 1137 - beginning of the reconstruction of the Cathedral under the initiative of Archbishop D. Paio Mendes;

• 1135 - Collapse of the towers due to an earthquake;

• 1210 - D. Sancho I bequeathed 2,000 Morabitines to the Cathedral;

• 1212 / 1228 - Repairs to the sacristy and cloister and reconstruction of the chapel of S. Geraldo;

• 1326 / 1348 - D. Gonçalo Pereira orders the construction of the tomb chapel, known as the chapel of Glória, next to that of S. Geraldo, as well as painting the choir;

• 1374 - D. Lourenço Vicente orders the construction, next to the north wall of the Cathedral, in the place where the counts D. Henrique and D. Teresa were buried, a chapel, the chapel of the kings;

• 15th century - Date of the tomb of Infante D. Afonso of Portugal, son of D. João I;

• 1416 / 1467 - D. Fernando da Guerra endowed and restored the Library, as well as the chapel of S. Geraldo;

• 1486 / 1501 - Construction of the galilee;

• 1505 / 1532 - Archbishop D. Diogo de Sousa makes improvements to the axial portal, removing 2 arcades and the mullion; reconstruction of the chancel, designed by João de Castilho; construction of an altarpiece in ançã stone; restoration of the towers; reconstruction of the cloister; restoration of the chapel of S. Geraldo;

• 1513 - Construction of the chapel of Jesus of Mercy (N.ª Sra. da Piedade); Late 17th century - Construction of the large sacristy;

• 1704 / 1728 - Reform ordered by D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles; remodeling of side chapels; remodeling of the chapel of S. Geraldo; application of gilded carving; execution of windows for greater entry of light; execution of a dome on the cross and a dome next to the high-choir; renovation of the two façade towers;

Gallery