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joseantonio | all galleries >> Galleries >> PORTO (PORTUGAL) > Guimarães. Paço dos Duques de Bragança
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13-DEC-2016

Guimarães. Paço dos Duques de Bragança

Standing at the foot of the castle hill is the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. Begun in 1401 on the orders of Dom Afonso, the first Duke of Bragança, this magnificent royal residence follows a Burgundian style of architecture in deference to Dom Afonso's taste for all things French. The palace was completed in 1442, but fell into disuse after the seat of the Bragança family was transferred in the early 16th century to Vila Viçosa. In 1933, the building underwent extensive renovation to become the official presidential residence during António Salazar's dictatorship. A sightseeing tour of the palace takes in most of the rooms and their 16h-century furniture and includes a visit to a small museum where Persian rugs, Flemish tapestries, medieval weaponry, and a collection of rare paintings are displayed. The chapel is noted for its vivid stained-glass windows. About 200 kilometers from Guimarães lies the town of Bragança, the original seat of the House of Bragança, which ruled in Portugal from 1640 to 1910.

Canon EOS 70D
1/200s f/5.6 at 17.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Gill Kopy26-Feb-2017 02:10
Wow ! this is so well preserved - must have looked like this in the 1440s - I wonder if those are chimneys ? Great shot Jose V
janescottcumming25-Feb-2017 21:43
A great looking courtyard with those wonderful arches. V
Buz Kiefer25-Feb-2017 17:46
Very nice courtyard with beautiful archways. V
Patricia Kay25-Feb-2017 17:20
Beautiful image of this fabulous courtyard Jose...BV
Walter Otto Koenig25-Feb-2017 17:00
Fascinating architecture. Nice perspective. "V"
Kuriacose Joseph25-Feb-2017 16:18
I wonder what the purpose of those vertical columns around the top of the building are? Well composed shot!
hge5425-Feb-2017 15:55
Great image: no modern touches at all. I had no idea that Portugal had been such a dynastic fiefdom. V
Nick Paoni25-Feb-2017 15:09
What an impressive structure. Love all the arches.
Jim Coffman25-Feb-2017 14:04
Very well composed and captured...
Helen Betts25-Feb-2017 13:51
Very striking building in this excellent composition. V.
Neil Marcus25-Feb-2017 13:40
An immpressive view very well taken. "VV"
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