With over 2000 years of history, Braga is the oldest city in Portugal and one of the world’s oldest catholic cities. Founded by the Romans in the year 16 BC and named Bracara Augusta in honor to the emperor Cesar Augusto. The ride there was beautiful passing green hills and rolling villages. It took a little over an hour and cost us each 7 euros roundtrip.
We started off at a small café where we had a morning cup of coffee and then began roaming the historic old part of town which was fully decorated for São João de Braga. We loved just walking all around the winding streets and ended up having a scrumptious Vegan buffet at a small place called Hibiscus.
Next, we attempted to take the bus to get to the Bom Jesus do Monte which is outside the city on the top of a hill. After waiting for some time we gave up and took an Uber for about 4 euros (he told us the bus wasn't running that direction on weekends). We decided to take the funicular going up (for 1.50 euros each) which was so cool! "It's the oldest funicular in the world moved by water counterbalancing, loading water into the car at the top of the hill, weighing it down so it descends to the bottom, at the same time drawing the lighter, drained car up the hill, where the process starts all over again: the trip takes between 2.4 and 4 minutes." We watched the water pouring back into our car after we got off at the top filling the tank back up to start the process again. Just amazing.
The first indication of a chapel here dates back to 1373 and the present sanctuary started being built in 1722. It's incredible! The views, the gardens, the buildings, the enormous park that borders it... just really, really phenomenal and there is no cost to wander everywhere. We didn't go inside any buildings as there was a wedding going on, but we spent a couple of hours just walking the grounds and sitting to enjoy it all.
Then we climbed down the gorgeous 577 cobblestone steps, past water features, small chapels and terraces to get to the bottom where we caught the bus heading back into town.
We were going to head straight back on the train, but realized there were some festival events starting so we ended up running around to catch a few of those which included these really unique giant puppets and the fullest 2 euro glass of wine I've ever had.
It was a full, fun tiring day!
How wild about that funicular!! I'm still not sure I fully understand how that works haha but so cool to think it's powered by water pressure and gravity. 😳 Those chapel gardens are absolutely breathtaking!! And how fun to stumble on that festival! I am obsessed with those huge puppets and colorful flags and drums. That wine glass has me laughing to the point of tears. 😂😂