Paço dos Duques de Bragança, Medieval palace ruins in Barcelos, Portugal.
Paço dos Duques de Bragança is the remains of a medieval palace in Barcelos located near the River Cávado. You can see tall stone chimneys, a defensive tower, and fragments of walls that reveal how the noble residence once looked and functioned.
Construction started in the early 1400s under D. Afonso, the first Duke of Braganza and eighth Count of Barcelos, who built it as a grand noble residence. Over time, the palace became a symbol of the duchy's power in the region.
The palace grounds serve as an open-air museum where you can see medieval burial stones and heraldic carvings from local churches. Walking through, you notice how these objects tell stories about the power and identity of the noble families who once lived here.
The site is located near Barcelos town center and is easy to reach on foot, with a small parking area nearby. Wear comfortable shoes because you will walk on uneven stone surfaces and grass areas.
Among the exhibits is the Cruzeiro do Senhor do Galo, an 18th-century stone cross carved with scenes related to the famous Barcelos Rooster legend. This carved stone offers a rare look at local stories that still matter to people in this city today.
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