Castle of Bragança

Bragança Castle (Castelo de Bragança) is a medieval fortress in the historic centre of Bragança, in north-eastern Portugal. It is one of the best-preserved and most important castles in the country and has been classified as a National Monument since 1910. It is easy to recognise by its massive keep and double ring of defensive walls.

What does Bragança Castle look like?

The fortress is surrounded by walls about two metres thick, with a perimeter of roughly 660 metres. Fifteen defensive towers punctuate the circuit, and the whole ensemble is crowned by a 33-metre keep, the Torre de Menagem. Its top is finished with battlements, machicolations and gargoyles that shed rainwater, and four cylindrical turrets stand at the corners. Gothic windows add a touch of elegance to the rugged mass.

What is the history of the castle?

The first documented mention of a fortification on this site dates to 1128, when King Afonso I included it among the Portuguese domains. Construction of the fortress in its later form began in the 13th century under Sancho II. In the 17th century, during the Portuguese Restoration War, the walls were adapted for artillery, which cost the castle several of its battlements. The fortress was also damaged during the Spanish invasion of 1762 and in the Napoleonic era of the early 19th century.

What can you see inside?

The keep houses the Military Museum (Museu Militar). You will find suits of armour, cannons and swords, plus displays on Portugal's colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique, including more modern weapons such as AK-47 rifles.

Within the citadel stands the Domus Municipalis, the only surviving example of Romanesque civil architecture in Portugal. It is believed to have originally served as a cistern. It is a must-see alongside the castle itself.

Why visit?

• It is one of the best-preserved castles in Portugal.
• From the walls and keep you get a good sense of the old town and its surroundings.
• You can combine defensive architecture, a military museum and a rare Romanesque monument in one stop.
• The castle sits in the middle of town, so it fits easily into a walk around Bragança.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Bragança Castle? In the historic centre of Bragança, in north-eastern Portugal (41.804 N, 6.749 W).

Since when has it been a National Monument? Since 1910.

How tall is the keep? 33 metres.

What is inside the keep? A Military Museum with weapons, armour and items from Portugal's colonial wars.

What is the Domus Municipalis? A Romanesque building inside the citadel, the only surviving example of Romanesque civil architecture in Portugal.

Is the castle unchanged since the Middle Ages? Not entirely. The walls were adapted for artillery in the 17th century and the fortress was damaged in later conflicts, yet it is still regarded as one of the best-preserved in the country.