Description of the attraction
Braga has been known as an important center of Portugal since the 2nd century BC. At this time, Braga is considered the religious center of the country, since since 1505 the residence of the bishop has been located in the city. The townspeople observe and honor religious traditions. Some holidays, such as Holy Week and the Feast of Saint João, are celebrated with special pomp.
The city has many historical sites and interesting museums, including the Museum of Sacred Art, which was founded in 1957. The Museum of Sacred Art is located in the same building as the Medina Museum and will be of interest to lovers of antiquity. The museum is also called the Pius XII Museum. Pope Pius XII is known for proclaiming the dogma of the Ascension of the Mother of God, as well as saving hundreds of thousands of lives during the Second World War.
The museum keeps a rich collection of artifacts that were found during archaeological excavations in the territory of Braga, among which are tools from the Bronze Age, objects that were used in the Paleolithic era, the longest period in the history of mankind, and the Neolithic by the peoples who inhabited Braga. Also on display are works of religious and visual art, among the exhibits are pottery from the prehistoric and Romanesque eras. Here you can see a fragment of the peristyle of the mansion of Ancient Rome. The peristyle is an open space surrounded on four sides by a covered colonnade. This architectural style was often used in ancient Greek or ancient Roman architecture.
