History:
Pousada São Bartolomeu:
Located on the hill of the same name, recently refurbished and enlarged, the Pousada de S. Bartolomeu, which enjoys an exceptional view over the castle of the city of Bragança. This CastIe dates back to the 17th century, to the time when D. Sancho gave the city its charter. Later, D. Femando gave it to one of his sisters-in-Iaw as marriage dowry. It came to the definitive possession of the House of Bragança when it was given as a dukedom to the illegitimate son of D. João l.
It is an ideal place for shooting enthusiastic (wild boor, hare, partridge etc.) as well as for tourists in general who throughout the north-eastern area beyond the mountains, may discover a wealth off fauna and flora.
The Pousada de S. Bartolomeu enjoys a sensational view which stretches across the plateau lying beyond the mountains. After a visit to the city sites and monuments, a magnificent evening can be enjoyed from the poll.
History of Bragança:
In Bragança, with its strategic position, has token place many constructions of fortresses before Fernão Mendes, brother in law of D. Afonso Henriques, demanded the creation of the city walls in 1130.
It has been Brigantia. In its interior is the castle of D. Sancho I, established in 1187, with donjon and vigil towers, which have many tragic legends that say they were the refuge of Dona Sancha, the unhappy wife of Fernão Mendes. The legends also say that other wives were kept prisoners in those towers.
Between the city walls, it’s also the pentagonal Domus Municipalis from the 17th century, that is the unique model still remaining of the Romanic civil architecture in Portugal.
This city gave its name to the last Portuguese royal dynasty, the illegitimate son of D. João I, the 1st duke of Bragança, in 1442.