Paço dos Duques de Bragança

About the museum

The Paço dos Duques de Bragança in Guimarães is a remarkable example of 15th-century seigniorial architecture and the cradle of the House of Bragança. It was built for D. Afonso, natural son of D. João I and 1st Duke of Bragança, around the time of his second marriage. It has been listed as a National Monument since 1910 and includes a wing used as the official residence of the Presidency of the Republic.

After being inhabited in the 15th century, the palace was gradually abandoned in the following centuries for political and economic reasons and fell into ruin until the 20th century. Between 1937 and 1959 it was rebuilt to a design by the architect Rogério de Azevedo and, in 1959, it was inaugurated as a National Palace and opened to the public as a museum.

Today the pieces on display, produced mainly in the 17th and 18th centuries, furnish the rooms along the route and give visitors the impression of being in a lived-in house. The collection includes tapestries, porcelain, paintings, furniture, sculpture and arms. The palace stands on Monte Latito, next to the Guimarães Castle and the Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo. Visitors number around half a million a year, according to the museum itself.

Highlights

• Banqueting hall and state rooms of the palace
• Collection of tapestries and porcelain
• Furniture, painting and sculpture from the 17th and 18th centuries
• Sala de Armas (armoury) and chapel
• Monte Latito with the Guimarães Castle and the Igreja de São Miguel

Permanent exhibition

• Exposição permanente do Paço dos Duques – Route through the palace rooms, furnished with tapestries, porcelain, paintings, furniture, sculpture and arms from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Founded

1959

Operated by

Museus e Monumentos de Portugal, E.P.E.

Director

Milton Dias Pacheco

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Portugal have free admission on 52 days a year, at the visitor's choice (Voucher52).

The €5 ticket is the price in force during the partial closure of the palace. The ticket office for the Monte Latito monuments is in the Paço dos Duques. Free admission, on proof, is also available to various other groups provided for in Order no. 13793/2024, such as unemployed residents of the European Union, members of ICOM, ICOMOS and APOM and volunteer firefighters.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Lift for 8 people to the museum circuit (may be out of service during the works), ramps between the rooms, emergency and rescue chair, wheelchair for loan, adapted toilet and rest room. On booked visits, selected objects may be touched.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

The education service offers programmes and trail games for schools and teachers. There is a baby-changing facility in the palace; prams are not permitted on the wall walk (adarve) of the Guimarães Castle.

Getting there & parking

GPS coordinates given by the museum: 41°26′47″ N, 8°17′28″ W. Porto airport is about 40 minutes' drive away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Library and shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The palace makes spaces available for hire.

Plan your visit