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Showing posts from December, 2012

Guimarães

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30 March 2012 Afonso Henriques Guimarães is an important historical city of Portugal.  Its history traces back the 9th century, the formation of Portugal, the birthplace of Portugal nationality.  Probably it's because the first Portugese Alfonso was borne here.  The town centre is Unesco historical site. This year, 2012, Guimarães is chosen as the European Capital of Culture.  It explains the tourist crowds. Our first unplanned spot is Guimarães  Vila Flor Palace and Cultural Centre .  The palace was constructed in mid-17th century.  It is decorated with granite statues of the first kings of Portugal and surrounded by a 3-terraced garden.  It was refurbished in 2005 when a Cultural Centre of the same name as built. The second spot waiting to welcome us is the Church of S. Francisco . Inside the decoration is rich.  Gathering or mass was in place when we entered.  We were picked by a man working there, led to the front left hand corner when an old man wa