The province of Minho, in the northwest of Portugal, is full of scenic and historical sites, being particularly famous for the production of wine. To the North of the region, it is possible to find the National Park of Peneda-Gerês with its rocky mountains, cascades, lakes and abundant wildlife. To the east, the famous Douro river valley, where the Port wine grapes are grown. To the South, it is possible to find the cosmopolitan city of Porto with its international airport, featuring an impressive architecture along the banks of the Douro River, the famous bridges and the Port wine cellars. The entire region is close to the sea, with marvellous beaches located near small fishing towns. Braga, Guimarães, Viana do Castelo and Vila do Conde are all examples of cities with interesting and well preserved historical centres, multiple cultural activities and year-long entertainment. Several outdoor sports like canoeing, rappel, surf, diving, etc. are also common activities.
Guimarães
The city of Guimarães is located in the region of Minho in northern Portugal, around 50km north of Porto. The city's urban character ranges from its traditional and defined identity in the narrow urban fabric of the historical centre to the outer city displaying 19th century bourgeois growth that formed around that centre.
Essentially a mediaeval town, Guimarães has its origins in the distant 10th century. It was at this time that the Countess Mumadona Dias ordered the construction of a monastery which became the focal point for a settlement. For its defence she ordered a castle to be built on a hill a short distance away, thus creating a second nucleus of development. Later the monastery was to become a chapter house and acquired great importance due to the privileges and donations bestowed on it by kings and nobility. It became a famous centre for pilgrimage attracting the prayers and promises of the faithful drawn from all quarters.
While the town continued to grow inside the walls which were erected to defend it, the orders of poor friars arrived in Guimarães and made their contribution to shaping the town. The twin nuclei subsequently merged into one so that by the 15th century the layout of the city within the walls had been established. Although some churches, monasteries and palaces would still be built, its display would not be significantly altered. It was by the end of the 19th century, with the advent of new ideas on public health and town planning, that Guimarães would be raised to the status of city by Queen D. Maria II and undergo major changes. Also, the demolition of the city walls was authorised and encouraged. New squares were opened, as well as new streets and avenues. However almost everything was done in harmony with the conservation of its historic town centre.
Among its architectural jewels, most of them still organically integrated in the city's life, can be found contributions by two of the most important Portuguese architects of the 20th century: Marques da Silva and Fernando Távora.
Guimarães was declared a World Heritage Site in 2001 by UNESCO and it was chosen by the Portuguese government to be the European Capital of Culture in 2012. Thus, it makes the perfect venue for an architectural history meeting, where reflection and debate may be inspired by the city’s legacy.
More information about Guimarães: http://www.guimaraesturismo.com/home_en/
Guimarães -
A city of youth is fired up by its art scene
— by CHARLY WILDER from The 41 Places to Go in 2011
Travel Section of The New York Times (24.1.2011)
Considered the birthplace of Portugal, this picturesque northern city has long been of great historical importance to the country. Now, with half its inhabitants under 30, it is also one of the youngest cities in Europe. A string of recent developments, like its selection as a 2012 European Capital of Culture (http://guimaraes2012.pt/) and the rehabilitation of the Unesco-designated historic center (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1031), have helped turned the youthful “cradle city” into one of the Iberian peninsula’s emerging cultural hot spots.
Much of the city’s burgeoning music and arts scene is nourished by the Centro Cultural Vila Flor, a contemporary-minded cultural center that opened in 2005 in a converted 18th-century palace. It includes amphitheaters, an exhibition villa, artists’ studios and a modern Portuguese restaurant. This March, the center will host the first International Festival of Contemporary Dance, bringing in an impressive selection of dance companies from throughout the world.
How to reach Guimarães/Conference Venue
The nearest airport is located in Oporto city, “Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro”.
There are several possibilities of reaching Guimarães from the airport "Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro" (50 km apart):
1. By car from Oporto Airport
40 minutes by Highway (toll payments – cost at about 10 €), you can rent-a-car at the Airport. If you are driving and using a GPS navigation system, you should identify the conference venue (Centro Cultural Vila Flor) by entering the following location:
Latitude: 41°26'13.69"N; Longitude: 8°17'40.19"W
2. By taxi from Oporto Airport
40 minutes, cost at about 60-80 €.
3. By bus from Oporto Airport:
direct trip between Oporto Airport and Guimarães city (www.getbus.eu), 50 minutes, cost - 8.0 €. The distance between the Guimarães Bus Station and the Conference Venue is about 1.2 km (15 minutes by walking).
4. By metro/train
take the "Metro do Porto" (www.metrodoporto.pt), from the Airport Station (in front of the airport building) to the railway station "Estação de Campanhã". From the Railway Station you should take the train to Guimaães (www.cp.pt). By Metro from the Oporto Airport to Campanhã Rail Station: 40 minutes, cost about 2 €. By urban trains from Campanhã to Guimarães Rail Station: 70 minutes, cost about 3.5 €, but there are few trains a day (intervals of 1 to 2 hours). The distance between the Guimarães Rail Station and the Conference Venue is about 300 m (3 minutes by walking).