Arco da Porta Nova – Braga Cathedral (Sé de Braga) loop from Braga

Hiking trails & Routes

Portugal

Braga

Braga (Maximinos)

Arco da Porta Nova – Braga Cathedral (Sé de Braga) loop from Braga

Hard

3.9

(9)

hikers

Arco da Porta Nova – Braga Cathedral (Sé de Braga) loop from Braga

05:19

18.2km

470m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

599 m

Arco da Porta Nova

Highlight • Monument

National Monument since 1910.
- It was one of the gates in the city walls, opened in 1512, during the reign of the Archbishop of Braga, D. Diogo de Sousa

Translated by Google •

Tip by

828 m

According to tradition, the diocese of Braga dates back to the 3rd century, although historical confirmation dates back to 400. This makes it one of the oldest dioceses on the Iberian Peninsula. It is considered the center of the Christianization of Gallaecia, as the region in northwestern Spain and northern Portugal was called. When Rome's power was dismantled by invading Germanic tribes, Braga became the capital of the Kingdom of the Suebi from 409 to 584. Through the influence of Bishop Martin of Dumio, the Suebi converted to Catholicism around 550. Martin of Dumio had come to Gallaecia at this time and first founded a monastery in Dumio near Braga. He became Bishop of Dumio in 556 and finally Bishop of Braga in 562. However, the Suebi kingdom fell under Visigothic control and was incorporated into the Visigothic Empire in 585. Braga's importance subsequently declined. After the Moorish conquest of the Iberian Peninsula from 711 to 719, Braga lost its bishopric in 716. As a result of the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest, the Diocese of Braga was re-established around 1070. Bishop Dom Pedro, bishop of the diocese from 1071 to 1091 and the first archbishop, had a cathedral built, which was consecrated in 1089 by Bernard of Toledo. At that time, however, only the eastern chapels were finished. The present cathedral was built on the site of an older religious building, possibly an earlier cathedral. Despite the restoration of the Diocese of Braga, the city never managed to regain its former importance. Next to Toledo, which was declared the new metropolis by Urban II and was the residence of the Kingdom of Castile from 1087 and remained the capital of Spain until 1561, there was no room for Braga as a metropolis. Since Bishop Dom Pedro had himself awarded the pallium by Antipope Clement III in 1091, the former capital of Braga continued to decline in importance. Bishop Dom Pedro was deposed and banished to a monastery.

From 1093 onwards, the County of Portugal was ruled by Count Henry of Burgundy, who, together with Bishop Geraldo de Moissac, persuaded the Pope to reinstate Braga as an archbishopric in 1107. Construction work on the cathedral resumed and continued until the mid-13th century. The building, constructed in the 12th century, was designed in the Burgundian Romanesque style of the Abbey Church of Cluny and influenced the construction of many churches and monasteries in Portugal. The cathedral was frequently altered in the following centuries. Today, it features a mixture of different architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Manueline.

In 1905, Pope Pius X granted the cathedral the additional title of minor basilica.

Source: Wikipedia

Translated by Google •

Tip by

9.25 km

View of Braga from Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro

Highlight • Viewpoint

A great view of the country from above. Bom Jesus do Monte, definitely worth a visit!

Translated by Google •

Tip by

11.0 km

Bom Jesus Park

Highlight • Forest

Not only the church and the great views, also the park is really very beautiful, so definitely visit.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

11.2 km

Ernesto Korrodi's Artificial Grotto of Bom Jesus

Highlight • Cave

The artificial grotto is a very popular place, especially on hot days.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

11.3 km

View of Braga from Bom Jesus do Monte

Highlight • Viewpoint

Beautiful view towards Braga

Translated by Google •

Tip by

11.6 km

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte

Highlight • Religious Site

One of the most beautiful churches in Portugal with a great view of Braga.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

17.5 km

Braga Portugal

Highlight • Religious Site

Inviting city for a day well spent in the company of Friends or Family

Translated by Google •

Tip by

18.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.70 km

3.64 km

2.76 km

2.49 km

2.10 km

495 m

Surfaces

9.45 km

3.76 km

3.52 km

717 m

408 m

287 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Sunday 18 October

21°C

8°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 28, 2024,Braga, religiöses Zentrum Portugals [Portugal]

A very well-known saying in Portugal says, "Coimbra canta, Braga reza, o Porto trabalha e Lisboa festeja". ("Coimbra sings, Braga prays, Porto works and Lisbon celebrates")

Braga is considered the religious center of Portugal. In 1089, the country's first cathedral was built in Braga, and the first bishop of Portugal had his episcopal seat here. Since then, Braga has established …

Showing Translation