Bracara Augusta, Roman city in Braga, Portugal

Bracara Augusta is the Roman name of today's Braga, in northern Portugal. The ancient city was laid out on a grid plan with square blocks and covered an area of about 74 acres (30 hectares).

Bracara Augusta was founded by the emperor Augustus around 16 BC and soon became an important administrative center. In the 5th century, it was taken by the Suebi, who made it the capital of their kingdom until it was later incorporated into the Visigothic realm.

The name Bracara Augusta comes from the Bracari people and the emperor Augustus, a sign of the alliance between Rome and the local communities. Today, walking through Braga's streets, you can still see how the old Roman roads and squares shaped the layout of the modern city.

The remains of the Roman city are scattered around Braga's center, so it helps to pick up a map from the tourist office before you start walking. Many of the sites are outdoors and a short walk apart, so wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to see the main ones.

Under the cloister of the Seminário de Santiago, archaeologists found a large room with columns and a mosaic pool, likely part of a Roman bath complex. This discovery shows that impressive Roman structures still lie hidden beneath Braga's streets.