City of Bragança | |
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_(cropped).jpg) .jpg) .jpg) .jpg) .jpg) .jpg) Panoramic view, Basilica of Santo Cristo de Outeiro, Calle Duque don Joao II, Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, Old Bridge of Gimonde, Castle of Braganza | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
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| Coordinates:41°48′24″N6°45′32″W / 41.80667°N 6.75889°W /41.80667; -6.75889 | |
| Country |  Portugal |
| Region | Norte |
| Intermunic. comm. | Terras de Trás-os-Montes |
| District | Bragança |
| Parishes | 39, see text |
| Government | |
| • President | Isabel Ferreira (PS) |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,173.57 km2 (453.12 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 674 m (2,211 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 35,341 |
| • Density | 30.114/km2 (77.995/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+01:00 (WEST) |
| Postal code | 5300 |
| Area code | 273 |
| Patron | Nossa Senhora das Graças |
| Website | http://www.cm-braganca.pt |
Bragança (Portuguese:[bɾɐˈɣɐ̃sɐ]ⓘ;Mirandese:Bergáncia), also known in English asBraganza (/brəˈɡænzə/brə-GAN-zə,US also/-ˈɡɑːn-/-GAHN-),[1][2] officially theCity of Bragança (Portuguese:Cidade de Bragança), is a city andmunicipality in north-easternPortugal, capital of thedistrict of Bragança, in theTerras de Trás-os-Montes subregion of Portugal. The population in 2011 was 35,341,[3] in an area of 1173.57 km².[4]
Archeological evidence permits a determination of human settlement in this region to thePaleolithic.[5] During theNeolithic there was a growth of productive human settlements which concentrated on planting and domestication of animals, with a nascent religion. There are many vestiges of these ancient communities, including ceramics, agricultural implements, weights, arrowheads and modest jewelry[5] found in funerary mounds, such as thetumulus of Donai (mostly destroyed). There are many signs of megalithic constructions dotted throughout the region.[5] It is believed that the larger prehistoric communities developed in Terra Fria, probably in the final part of theBronze Age (1000-700 BC). During this period, the Celtic orCastro culture of fortified urban structures resulted in walled settlements, situated in elevated areas, with a panoramic view for defense. These communities essentially survived on subsistence agriculture.[5]
Roman colonization, which occurred late in the Roman era, resulted in the establishment of private property and movement away from the forests, in addition to organizational changes resulting administrative, material and cultural evolution. Remnants of the Gallaico-Roman castro societies are evident in Castro of Sacóias and the Castro of Avelãs.[5] In these excavations, modern archaeologists have discovered funerary remains, coins and implements. The Castro of Avelãs (about three kilometres from Bragança) was an important centre on the military road toAstorga, although there are many examples (in Alfaião, Aveleda, Carrazedo, Castro de Avelãs, Donai, França, Gostei, Meixedo, Pinela, Quintela Lampaças, etc.) of the Roman presence.[6]
The area was dominated by two ethnic communities: theZoelae, with their seat in Castro de Avelãs, and aLusitaniancivitas under the stewardship of theBaniense in the southern part of the district.[5][7] A Latin map,Atlas de Gotha by Justus Perthes, mentioned three settlements within this region:Aquae Flaviae (Chaves), Veniatia (Vinhais) andZoelae (its seat in Zoelas, today Castro de Avelãs)[7][8] without mentioning any reference to a name similar to Bragança.[5] During Roman colonization, it was part ofGallaecia and dependent administratively onAstorga, on the Atlantic axis of a Roman highway from Meseta, that controlled the gold, iron and silver trade.[6] The references to a settlement with the name similar toBragança occurred in the acts of Council Lugo (569 AD) regarding theVergancia. A similar reference byWamba (666 AD) referred toBregancia, and where, supposedly two Christian martyrs (John and Paul) were born.[9]
Records of the proto-GermanicSuebic and Visigothic kingdoms are few, probably an indication of advancement in rural agrarian and pastoral communities during their occupation and settlement. Toponymic references such as Gimonde, Guadramil and Samil are some of the remains from this period.[5]
Although some placenames remained (such as Alfaião, Babe, Baçal, Bagueixe, Mogadouro), the influence of the Islamic civilization to the northern regions and Douro (as well as mountainous areas) was very small. There is but one passing reference to aPelagius Count of Bragança during the Council of Oviedo (in 970).[5][6] Owing to theReconquista, this region was quickly integrated into theKingdom of Asturias (laterLeón after the 10th century), and the economy, ecclesiastical organization, architecture, culture and language was heavily influenced by the Asturo-Leonese.[5]
During the 11th and 12th century, in the books of genealogy, the Bragançãos family ofCastro d'Avelãs (at the time the seat of the Benedictine monastery) dominated Bragança, itsabbot Mendo Alãm, who later married Princess Ardzrouri ofArmenia (who passed through the region on a pilgrimage toSantiago de Compostela), originated the hereditary line.[5][6] Legend holds that Fernão Mendes (a Braganção) presumably kidnapped, then married, Sancha, daughter ofAfonso Henriques and Teresa, obtaining with his dead the important defense of the region. Fernão Mendes and Sancha would find the ruins of the ancient village and rebuild from the ground in theRealenga das Terras da Bragança.[7] Historically, Fernão Mendes was later referred to as theBrave for his gallantry during theBattle of Ourique.[6] Yet, later, the region of Bragança would become a property of the Crown as no heir would develop from their union.[5] The Bragançãos contributed to the foundation of the settlement, and its importance would remain integral to the defense of the country, owing to the geopolitical position in the northwest frontier with the Spanish Kingdoms of León and Castile.[5] By the seventh generation, around 1258, the Bragançãos lost their hereditary title, and Afonso III transferred the title to Nuno Martins, a descendant of the line.[6]
The origin of the city of Bragança dates from the 10th or 11th century, and likely developed from a Romanized castro, although archaeological evidence is still under-discovered.[5] The strategic importance of Bragança, to military control of access, resulted from its localization and was reinforced by administrative institutions established by the King.[5]Sancho signed aforal in June 1187, which was renovated by KingAfonso III, in May 1253, and later byManuel I on 11 November 1514.[5] The foral demonstrated specifically the importance of the city, which was the first in the Trás-os-Montes to receive the title oftown.[5] In his proclamation, Afonso III specified that the municipality of Bragança pertained to theChurch of Braganza, and not the crown, and that its represents should motivate the settlement of all unpopulated lands.[10] This conflicted with the Military Orders and administration of the Monastery of Castro de Avelãs, who believed that they had the right to settle all villages and use the land as they willed.[10] The privileges that were conceded to the nascent Portuguese population by various monarchs outlines the geographic importance of attracting settlement to the northern frontier:Afonso III created an annual fair in 1272 andFernando establishes a free-trade fair in 1383, which was renovated or reformulated by successive monarchs (John I in 1392 and 1413, theRegent Peter in 1439 andAfonso V in 1455). This initiatives, although tempered by cyclical migration and epidemics, permitted the concentration of settlers in the northern community.
During the 14th century, wars with Castile result in the destruction of the frontier settlements andCastellian troops take the city of Bragança. In 1381, the region is once again devastated militarily, resulting in famine, epidemics, infant mortality rates, the abandonment of lands, resulting in an 83% drop in the population.[6] In 1387, theDuke of Lancaster andConstance sign the Treaty of Babe, that recognizedJohn I's title and rights to Portugal and the Algarve (then already acclaimed in the PortugueseCortes and married toPhilippa of Lancaster).[6] But in 1396, John returned to Bragança to curb Castilian aggression, taking the titles from Afonso Pimental (who was an ally of Castile) and delivering into his illegitimate son's handsAfonso (donated in 1401 byRegent Peter),[5] who he charged with reinforcing the border and elaborating the defenses of the castle.[6] John then bound the frontier region to the Crown with a marriage of his son toBeatriz, daughter ofNuno Álvares Pereira in order to strengthen the ties of the fledgling crown to the land.[6]
Historically, aJewish community was present in Bragança during medieval times. Whenthe Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, 3000 Jewish refugees settled in Bragança. When theJews were forced to convert to Christianity, Bragança became an important center forcrypto-Judaism. There was crypto-Jewish activity in Bragança until the second half of the 20th century.[11]
By the middle of the 13th century, Bragança was divided into four parishes: Santa Maria (then the main town), São Tiago, São João (outside the castle walls) and São Vicente.
In 1442, KingAfonso V established the hereditary dukedom of theDuchy of Braganza, for his uncleAfonso, Count of Barcelos, becoming one of the oldestfiefdoms in Portugal. The second Duke of Braganza,Fernando, reinforced hisgrandfather's frontier strategy and expanded his territory by integrating the lands of his deceased brotherAfonso, Marquis of Valença. Ferdinand supported KingAfonso V of Portugal, and during his North African campaigns, became the Governor ofCeuta. Ferdinand was responsible for ensuring the elevation of Braganza to the status of city (on 20 February 1464), and was Regent when Afonso V returned to North Africa. But his conspiracies and court intrigues during the reign of KingJohn II would have him condemned to death, the banning of theHouse of Braganza and the incorporation of their hereditary lands and titles into the Crown. The lands remained in the hands of the Crown until the reign ofFerdinand of Portugal, when they were offered as adowry to João Afonso Pimentel on his marriage to Joana Teles de Menezes, half-sister of QueenLeonor Teles.[5]
KingManuel I reinstated the Braganzas on 18 June 1496, but forced their heirs toexpel the Jews from Bragança, resulting in the departure of hundreds of the inhabitants that had supported and promoted town.[6] Those that did not convert to Christianity left Portugal (with their money, contacts, knowledge, merchant experience), includingOrobio de Castro (who became a leader in theAmsterdam synagogue) andJacob de Castro Sarmento who was an important figure in England and Scotland, professor at the University of Aberdeen.[6]
In the 14th and 15th century, growth outside the city of Bragança developed, and in the proceeding centuries there were major renovations and remodelling to the churches, convents and noble estates within the municipality.[5] Many of street names from Bragança also show a rapid industrialization and commercialization in the community, with the appearances of street names such asRua dos Prateiros (silver-smiths),Rua dos Sineiros (bell-makers),Rua dos Oleiros (potters),Rua da Alfândega (customs house),Ponte das Tenarias (tanners),Ponte das Ferrarias (blacksmiths), that directed their exports to the regional market.[5] This dynamic environment was facilitated by Jews who escaped theInquisition in Castile during the 15th century, and who stimulated the commercial, artisanal and cereal markets in the region.[5][12]
After 60 years the Portuguese were able to end theIberian Union with Spain. On 1 December 1640 the independence of Portugal was restored, allowing the ascension of the 8th Duke of Braganza (then military governor of Portugal) as KingJohn IV.[6] From 1640 to 1910 theHouse of Braganza was responsible for providing Portugal itskings and thetwo emperors of Brazil. The latter ruled from 1822 to 1889. The feudal castle of the dukes (built 1187) still remains.[6]
By the 18th century there were several crises and failures in Bragança associated with tentative industrialization. Problems with agriculture in the beginning of the 19th century would also occur just when industrialists began to abandon the city of Bragança.[5] Since then, the economy of the region has wavered through boom-and-bust cycles, stimulated by some national initiatives.[5]
Bragança lies on a branch of theSabor River south of the Culebra Mountains, 255 km northeast ofPorto, 515 km fromLisbon and 22 km from theSpanish border.
The municipality of Bragança is part of the frontier of theMontesinho Natural Park, established in 1979 to safeguard the distinct elements of the region.[13] The creation of this ecoregion was made to preserve the existing qualities and allow human/cultural interaction. Montesinho is classified into forests and woods (oak and chestnut plantations at the base of the Coroa Mountains, the Tuela and lower Baceiro Rivers); wood and pine forests (forests and shrub vegetation in the western and eastern Rio Maças, Aveleda, Portelo/Montesinho, Mofreito/Montouto, Pinheiros, Serrea da Coroa, Vilar Seco da Lomba); a sub-Atlantic mixed farming area (around the Tuela and Baceiro Rivers); open space that allows farming along the plateaus of Baçal, Aveleda, Onor, Deilão); and the granite mountains of oak and birch species, mainly within the park and Pinheiros area.[13]
Bragança features awarm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen:Csb,Trewartha:Csbk)[14] influenced by the distance from the coast and the elevation, thus with cooler winters and shorter warm summers.
The average high in the coldest month – January – is around 9.1 °C (48 °F) while the July high is around 29.2 °C (85 °F). The January average low hovers around the freezing point. It has been known to snow in April, and winter temperatures can fall to as low as −11.6 °C (11 °F), as recorded in February 1983, at around which time the station of a local institute on the outskirts of the city also recorded -17.5 °C. Frosts happen on average 53 days per year. The annual mean is around 13 °C (55 °F). The mean total rainfall in a year is 784 mm (30.9 in). The year of 2005 was particularly dry in Portugal, and Bragança suffered water shortages and devastating forest fires in the rural areas.
| Climate data for Bragança (1991-2020), elevation: 690 m or 2,260 ft | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 20.4 (68.7) | 22.2 (72.0) | 26.6 (79.9) | 28.6 (83.5) | 33.6 (92.5) | 38.4 (101.1) | 41.3 (106.3) | 40.6 (105.1) | 37.9 (100.2) | 32.1 (89.8) | 22.4 (72.3) | 18.8 (65.8) | 41.3 (106.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 9.1 (48.4) | 11.8 (53.2) | 15.2 (59.4) | 17.1 (62.8) | 21.2 (70.2) | 26.2 (79.2) | 29.2 (84.6) | 28.8 (83.8) | 25.1 (77.2) | 18.9 (66.0) | 12.8 (55.0) | 9.7 (49.5) | 18.8 (65.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) | 6.3 (43.3) | 9.3 (48.7) | 11.3 (52.3) | 14.8 (58.6) | 19.0 (66.2) | 21.7 (71.1) | 21.4 (70.5) | 18.3 (64.9) | 13.4 (56.1) | 8.2 (46.8) | 5.4 (41.7) | 12.8 (55.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.4 (32.7) | 0.8 (33.4) | 3.4 (38.1) | 5.4 (41.7) | 8.4 (47.1) | 11.9 (53.4) | 14.1 (57.4) | 13.8 (56.8) | 11.3 (52.3) | 7.9 (46.2) | 3.6 (38.5) | 1.1 (34.0) | 6.8 (44.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −11.4 (11.5) | −11.6 (11.1) | −10.2 (13.6) | −5.1 (22.8) | −2.0 (28.4) | 2.3 (36.1) | 4.4 (39.9) | 4.4 (39.9) | 1.4 (34.5) | −3.8 (25.2) | −8.6 (16.5) | −9.7 (14.5) | −11.6 (11.1) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 100.6 (3.96) | 62.4 (2.46) | 68.6 (2.70) | 68.0 (2.68) | 63.4 (2.50) | 32.2 (1.27) | 15.1 (0.59) | 18.7 (0.74) | 43.9 (1.73) | 106.9 (4.21) | 91.8 (3.61) | 112.3 (4.42) | 783.9 (30.87) |
| Average snowy days | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 6.1 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 83 | 77 | 68 | 66 | 63 | 57 | 49 | 50 | 57 | 72 | 79 | 84 | 68 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 112 | 134 | 195 | 209 | 261 | 300 | 362 | 341 | 241 | 184 | 136 | 104 | 2,579 |
| Mean dailysunshine hours | 3.6 | 4.7 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 11.7 | 11.0 | 8.0 | 5.9 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 7.0 |
| Source 1:IPMA (snow days 1971-2000)[15][16] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2:NOAA (sun, 1961–1990),[17]Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity 1965–1990, daily sun 1961-1990)[18] | |||||||||||||
Of the 18 Portuguese historical district capitals, Bragança is the farthest fromLisbon, the national capital.
The seat of the municipality is the city of Bragança, which consists of the parishSé, Santa Maria e Meixedo, and had a population of 20,309 in 2001.[19] In the hierarchy of Portuguese urban communities, Bragança is only second to Chaves in the sub-region of the Alto Trás-os-Montes.[20] Historically, the municipality has seen a demographic evolution. Between 1911 and 1991, there has been a 6.80% (1655 inhabitant) increase, mitigated by annual changes that both saw growth and decreases.[20] For example, between 1981 and 1991 there was an exodus from the interior of the region of young people, resulting in a drop of population and birth rates (which only helped the coastal communities of Portugal).[20] The city of Bragança has generally seen positive growth, being the capital of the region, and attracting a more youthful component. Sé and Santa Maria, the two primarily urban parishes, benefited directly from this, becoming the dynamic engine of growth in the territory, and developing into a pole in the interior northeast.[20]
Bragança pertains to an area referred to as theTerra Fria Transmontana (Cold Transmontana Lands). Within theNUTS nomenclature, Bragança is part of theTerras de Trás-os-Montes subregion, along with eight other municipalities. Its connection to this region are formalized within various associations, including theAssociação de Municípios de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Municipal Association of Tr's-os Montes and Alto Douro), as part of theAssociação de Municípios da Terra Fria (constituted by the municipalities of Bragança,Vinhais,Vimioso andMiranda do Douro), theAssociação Comercial e Industrial de Bragança (Commercial Association of Bragança), the districtNúcleo Empresarial do Distrito de Bragança (Business Nucleus of the District of Bragança), theRegião de Turismo doNordeste Transmontano (Tourist Region of Nordeste Transmontano) and theParque Natural de Montesinho (Montesinho Natural Park). Bragança is also affiliated with theAssociação do Pacto do Eixo Atlântico, along with 17 municipalities in the northwest peninsula, whose objective is to implement policy that strategically support socio-economic and socio-cultural objectives of the communities along the Portuguese-Spanish border region withGalicia. This is an important political relationship since 1999, as Bragança is of significant size to motivate economic activity in the northern portion of theIberian Peninsula. Its peripheral place in the urban hierarchy of Portugal has contributed to the political, administrative and populational concentration of many regional and national associations, administrative delegations and regional directoratesThe neighbouring municipalities areVimioso in the southeast,Macedo de Cavaleiros in the southwest andVinhais in the west.
Since the 2013 administration reform, it is administratively divided into 39 civil parishes:[21]
The municipality of Bragança istwinned with:
Bragança is a city of services with a dependence on state-run institutions like thePolytechnic Institute of Bragança and the regional hospital for jobs. In the turn of the 21st century, its countryside suffered a population decline with the abandonment of the villages and the aging of the rural population. The city of Bragança is an anchor of the regional economy, resisting thedesertification of the hinterland, and concentrating public sector administration in the region.[20] In Bragança, approximately 16% of the population is involved in the secondary industrial sector, while 60% are associated with the tertiary service sector, alluding to a problem in attracting investments in the secondary sector.[20] Employment is primarily driven by the tertiary sector, including commerce, restaurants and hotels, but also civil construction (which is the second largest employer of local residents).[20] Although there has been a positive evolution, industrial activities still remain weak, hindered by the evolution of the market in this periferic borderland region of Portugal. Due to its location near the Spanish border, the city receives tourists fromZamora,León,Salamanca,Asturias and elsewhere.Agribusiness is focused onolive oil,grains,chestnut andlivestock, especiallysheep.
Located eight kilometres from the city centre, the municipal/regional airport (Bragança Airport), with scheduled flights bySevenair Air Services toLisbon (LIS) andVila Real (VRL).[13] Bragança Airport is located north of the city, in the parish ofAveleda, accessible by taxi or bus route. The aerodrome was expanded and the runway enlarged, including new navigational systems, new lighting and support facilities, in order to increase mid-size aircraft to be on par with other European regional airports.[13]
Bragança is one of the two (along withViseu) district capitals without a rail service in Portugal. There was formerly a metre-gauge railway (theTua line) from Bragança toTua, for connecting trains toPorto. Bragança station (and the Bragança-Mirandela section of the railway) closed in 1991. Bragança is located about 35 km away from theSanabria AV high-speed railway station, part of theOlmedo-Zamora-Galicia high-speed rail line.[24] With 35,341 people, Bragança is the largest potential market in the station's surroundings. There are discussions about the possibility of a connecting motorway between Bragança and the area served by the station.[1]
There are three main accessways within the municipality: theA4, IP2 and the N103 motorways.[13] The principal roadway connecting Bragança and local communities is the A4:[13]Amarante-Vila Real-Bragança-Quintanilha, which crosses the municipalities southwest border towards Bragança, before circling the city in the direction of the eastern border with Spain. The ancillary IP2 meets the A4 aroundMacedo de Cavaleiros and the N103 crosses from west to east, meeting in Bragança, before continuing as the N218 into Spain. Other roads connect nearby municipalities such asMirandela,Penafiel, in addition toChaves,Valpaços andMiranda do Douro, including the towns ofVinhais andVimioso.
Notable landmarks in the city include the 12th-centuryDomus Municipalis inRomanesque style, theRenaissance cathedral, and the old town walls, which are still well preserved, and look down on the river and the modern city.
The student population of Bragança is heavily concentrated within the town, its population for 1999–2000 being 14,406 registered students.[20] Of this number the largest frequency of students were enrolled in the state-run higher-education technical college (polytechnic institute): theInstituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB). Since its formation in 1986, there has been a significant growth in enrollment (200, 4000 and 4731,in the 1986–87, 1998–99, and 1999–2000 school years, respectively).[20] The remaining higher-education enrollees are dispersed at theInstituto Superior de Línguas e Administração (Superior Institute of Languages and Administration) andEscola Superior de Enfermagem (Superior School of Nursing). Other institutions of education include 4,650 students enrolled in secondary and junior high schools, 874 in technical/professional schools, 2,868 in primary schools, and 614 in pre-school programs.[20]
In many villages there are not enough children to maintain the rural schools, which are gradually being closed by the Portuguese government.
TheGrupo Desportivo de Bragança (abbreviated as GD Bragança) is a Portuguese sports club based in Bragança which hosts both a football department and an athletics department.[25] The club was founded in 1943 and its men's football team plays its home matches at the Municipal de Bragança stadium with 5,000 seats.[26][27]
Bragança pertains to theDiocese of Bragança-Miranda, asuffragan of theArchdiocese of Braga.
In June 1928, a synagogue was inaugurated in the city.[28]
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