Portugal

The Sanctuary of Penha is a Marian shrine located on Penha Mountain, the highest point in Guimarães. Designed by the architect José Marques da Silva, it was built between 1930 and 1947. Nowadays, the Sanctuary of Penha is considered one of the most emblematic works in Guimarães. But this “sacred place” on Penha Mountain is much more than a Catholic temple. In reality, it’s made up of chapels, caves, statues, fountains, boulders, viewpoints, gardens, parks, and many other structures!

Did you know that the Braga Cathedral is older than Portugal? Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the religious temple began to be built at the end of the 11th century – long before any other Portuguese cathedral! Although its architecture is primarily Romanesque, you can admire elements in other styles, such as Manueline and Baroque. To the left of the building, there’s the Treasure-Museum of the Braga Cathedral, a museum of sacred art where artifacts and relics from different centuries are exposed!