​​​ Lost Paradises Travels - Europe  

​​PORTUGAL - Guimaraes​

Guimaraes is a city located in northern Portugal, at 20 kilometers from Braga and 50 kilometers from Porto. Its historic town centre is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, in recognition for being an "exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town" in Europe.

Guimarães was founded between year 950 to 957 (10th century) and had its origin around a monastery built by Countess Mumadona Dias, widow from Count Hermenegildo Mendes. To protect the monastery from Muslims, the Countess build also a military tower. In 12th Century, the Guimaraes Castle was fully built and the first king of Portugal - Afonso Henriques - was living there and using it as a base for conquering further territory from Muslims forces who at the time occupied most of the Iberian Penisula.