Activities/Sightseeing

Guimarães has a lively cultural schedule with many exhibition centres, museums and popular festivals that you shouldn’t miss.

Alberto Sampaio Museum:

This museum installed in the magnificent Romanesque cloisters and adjoining rooms of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, displays a rich collection of pieces from the 14th, 15th and 16th century, such as religious art, tilesand pottery from local churches. But the main pieces are one rare vest that was used by the king Dom João I in the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, a silver altarpiece from the 14^th century including a triptych with the Visitation, the Annunciation and Nativity, captured the from Spanish king.

Sociedade Martins Sarmento:

The Martins Sarmento Society (Sociedade Martins Sarmento in Portuguese) is one of the country oldest institutions dedicated to the study and preservation of archaeological artifacts. The society owns two museums: the Archaeological Museum of the Martins Sarmento Society, which is known by its prehistory and protohistory collections and also its numismatics and epigraphy collections; and the Castro Culture Museum which is dedicated to the castro culture

Vila Flor Cultural Centre is the main cultural venue in Guimarães where take place many live performances.

http://www.ccvf.pt/

On the Multipurpose pavilion you can expect almost everything. It can be a congress pavilion, a sports arena or a stage where you can see musical performances.

http://www.tempolivre.pt

The São Mamede Centre of Arts and Performance (C.A.E.) is what its name suggests: a place where you can see all sorts of art performances.

http://www.saomamedecentrodearteseespectaculos.blogspot.com/

Of course that beyond this cultural offer, there are also other activities that are on the cultural agenda of the city and take place throughout the year.

Guimarães – 2012 European Capital of Culture

In 2012, Guimarães will be the European Capital of Culture. Therefore there will be even more reasons for you to visit Guimarães. Music, cinema, photography, fine arts, architecture, literature, thought, theatre, dance and street art will be sweating through every pore of the city, and will be the promoter of Europe’s cultural diversity, revealing its creations and welcoming those from other countries.
http://guimaraes2012.com/