In 868, Count Vimara Peres reconquered the region between the rivers Minho and Douro from the Moors. He founded a fortified city bearing his own name (Vimaranis – Guimaranis – Guimaraes). In 1128, Dom Afonso Henriques fought the Battle of Sao Mamede near Guimaraes against the forces of the Kingdom of Leon, paving the way for Portuguese statehood. In 1179, Pope Alexander III granted him the title of King of Portugal.

In present-day Guimaraes, most of the local enterprises are in the textile industry; leather and cutlery are also represented. Furthermore, banking and tourism are on the rise. Craft is popular and appreciated. Artisans produce embroidery, pottery, silverwork, wicker baskets and furniture. There is a Handicrafts Fair held in town every May. It’s worth mentioning that the citizens of Guimaraes (who call themselves Vimaranenses) are faithful supporters of their local football team, Vitória de Guimaraes, which has been in the country’s Premier League for the past 50 years.

The municipal authorities put much effort into the renovation of the Historic City Centre, using traditional materials and techniques in order to preserve its authenticity as much as possible. These attempts were rewarded with the Europa Nostra Prize in 1985, and in 2001 the place was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The aforementioned city centre covers the area that was once inside the city walls. Its greatest attraction is the castle, built in the 10th Century by Countess Mumadona Dias. The Romanesque Chapel of St. Michael is the place where Dom Afonso Henriques is believed to have been baptized. The Palace of the Dukes of Braganca houses a museum containing a fine collection of arms and furniture. Also worth visiting are the Archaeological Museum, the Alberto Sampaio Museum with sculptures, paintings and silverwork, and the Museum of Primitive Modern Art.