Guimarães

   This city in Braga district, which is known as the cradle of Portuguese nationality, has origins that precede both the monarchy and the nation. Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques, was born in Guimarães, and it was here that the first Cortes was held, where it was decided in 1093 to give the government of the county of Portugal to the Burgundian Count Henry, the father of Afonso Henriques, later king of Portugal. In 1853, Guimarães was declared a city by Queen Maria II. Long a symbol of the founding of Portugal, Guimarães's classic granite castle has many historic associations. It was here that the official opening of the 1940 Double Centenary celebrations occurred. With only a small population, Guimarães has a large number of medieval monuments, including churches, palaces, and chapels.