Cathedral and other Guarda, Portugal Things to Do Tips

The 'Se' is one of Portugal's many interesting buildings. This granite-walled building was a long time in the making, taking 150 years to build from start to finish (1390-1540). Its exterior does not have the grace of most cathedrals, mainly because of its fortress-like construction. But then again, when it was built long ago in this frontier city, you never knew when the next attack was coming or from which direction! Still, it does have some very interesting flying buttresses and gargoyles adding a touch of class, not to mention a Manuline-style door that appealed to me. We did not look inside because the cathedral was in-use, but its interior is supposed to be something to see!

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Directions: Centre of the city, on top of the hill

The country of Portugal owes its name to a rebellion against Moorish rule in one of its small provinces, 'Portucale', located in the far northern Douro area. Victorious in battle, Afonso Henriques declared himself King of Portugal in 1137 AD. He was succeeded by his son, Dom Sancho I who ruled as Portugal's second king from 1185-1211. Sancho's claim to fame was his concentration on pushing further south against the Moors. In 1191 he was, with the help of English Crusaders, able to capture the city of Silves on the Algarve. He also devoted a great deal of attention to getting the administrative affairs of the new kingdom in order and instituted a policy of attracting immigrants to bolster the population of the Christian north of the country.

Today, this impressive statue of Sancho I holds sway on a pedestal in front of the Se.

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Directions: The square in front of the Se