BRAGA, a city of northern Portugal, at the head of a rail way from Oporto. Pop. (193o) 26,962. Braga, which ranks after Lisbon and Oporto, is an archiepiscopal see. Its 12th century cathedral was rebuilt during the 16th century in the blend of Moorish and florid Gothic styles known as Manueline. The church of Santa Cruz has a handsome façade, which dates from 1642. There are several convents and a library containing many rare books and manuscripts, also the ruins of a Roman theatre, temple and aqueduct. The principal manufactures are firearms, jewellery, cutlery, cloth and felt hats. Large cattle fairs are held in June and September. On a hill about 3m. S.E. stands the cele brated sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, visited at Whitsuntide by many thousands of pilgrims, who do public penance as they ascend to the shrine; and about Im. beyond it is Mt. Sameiro 5f t.) crowned by a colossal statue of the Virgin Mary, and commanding a magnificent view of the mountainous country, which culminates in the Serra do Gerez, on the north-east.
Braga is the Roman Bracara Augusta, capital of the Callaici Bracarii, or Bracarenses. In the early 5th century it was taken by the Suevi and about 485 by the Visigoths, who here renounced the Arian and Priscillianist heresies, so the city became famous and its archbishops are still primates of Portugal and long claimed supremacy over the Spanish Church as well. From the Moors, who captured Braga early in the 8th century, the city was retaken in 1040 by Ferdinand I., king of Castile and Leon; and from 1o93 to I147 it was the residence of the Portuguese court.
The administrative district of Braga coincides with the central part of the province of Entre Minho e Douro (q.v.). Pop. (1930) Area, i,o4osq. miles.