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But, why does it contribute to European identity?

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But, why does it contribute to European identity?

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The Sé Velha Cathedral in Braga contributes to European identity in many, many ways. However, as we do not want to prolong this text more than what it’s necessary, we’ll cut it down to the main point: The cathedral, with it’s troublesome history and various art styles, can, in some ways, represent Europe as a whole.

To be exact, we believe that it represents europe’s peoples and cultures with its many art styles, and the continent’s history with its troublesome history.

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Why is it classified as a European heritage site?

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Why is it classified as a European heritage site?

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The Braga cathedral is classified as a European heritage site mainly because of two reasons: it’s history and it’s cultural importance.

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The cathedral, the first one in Portugal, was erected several decades before the founding of the country. It began construction at the end of the 11th century and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary by Bishop Pedro on August 28, 1089.

Braga was classified as an archbishopric in 1107 after Count Henry of Burgundy, the ruler of Portugal at the time, together with Bishop Geraldo de Moissac, convinced the Pope to do so.

The archbishop of Braga was given power over a large region in Northwest Iberia, including most of Portugal and part of modern-day Spain, in Galicia.

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Except for some archivolts and capitals of the main portal, the original Romanesque western façade has been totally suppressed.

Between the years of 1486 and 1501 an entrance gallery was constructed in late gothic style, preceding the main portal. The gallery has a ribbed vaulting, decorated with statues and gargoyles. The upper part of the façade and towers were totally modernized in the 18th century. The southern façade of the cathedral has an interesting romanesque portal.

The cathedral also has three aisles covered by a wooden roof, a transept and five Eastern chapels in the apse. However, none of the chapels are original romanesque anymore, as the main chapel is built in Manueline, whilst the others are heavily decorated in baroque style.

The cathedral’s nave is built in almost it’s entirety in Romanesque, thanks to a “purifying” reform done on the 20th century that suppressed most of the later additions.

A hight choir was added near the entrance of the cathedral during the baroque period. The choir is beautifully connected with a painted ceiling and sculptured gift wood. These are considered one of the most impressive wood works in Portugal.

Lastly, the gothic Chapel of the Glory (capela de Glória) was built between the years of 1326 and 1348 to be the resting place for Archbishop Gonçalo Pereira.

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~oldest cathedral in portugal
~five chapels
~The cathedral has two historic organs
~most important monument in the city

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- Affiliation: Roman Catholic Church
- Situated in Braga, Northern Portugal
- Classified as a National Monument since 1910
- Seat of the Archdiocese of Braga and the Primate Archbishop of Spain
- Multiple art styles: Gothic, Moorish, Manueline, Baroque
- Classified as a World Heritage Site