Braga

Braga, a city of Portugal, capital of the province of Minho, is situated on an eminence between the rivers Cavado and D'Este, 34 miles NE. of Oporto by rail. It is the residence of the primate of Portugal, who has a palace here. It has also a fine Gothic cathedral (12th century), partly modernised, the church of Santa Cruz (1642), and manufactures of linen, hats, cutlery, firearms, jewelry, &c. The Bracara Augusta of the Romans, it retains ruins of a temple, an amphitheatre, and an aqueduct. Near it is the celebrated Sanctuario do bom Jesus do Monte, which is still a place of pilgrimage. In the 6th century Braga was the chief city of the Suevi, and it fell successively into the hands of the Goths and Moors, from the latter of whom it was taken by Alphonso of Castile. Pop. 19,755.