Guimarães
Guimarães | |
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Panorama of Guimarães Oliveira Square | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Interactive map of Guimarães | |
Guimarães Guimarães | |
| Coordinates: 41°26′42″N 8°17′26.88″W / 41.44500°N 8.2908000°W | |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Northern Region |
| Subregion | Ave |
| District | Braga |
| Historical province | Entre Douro e Minho |
| Foral | 1096 |
| Seat | Guimarães Municipal Chamber |
| Civil parishes | 48 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Local administrative unit |
| • Body | Câmara municipal |
| • Mayor | Ricardo Araújo (PSD-CDS–PP) |
| • Assembly chair | Rui Armindo da Costa Freitas |
| Area | |
• Total | 241.3 km2 (93.2 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 613 m (2,011 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 77 m (253 ft) |
| Population (2023) | |
• Total | 156,789 |
| • Rank | 17th |
| • Density | 649.8/km2 (1,683/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Vimaranense |
| Time zone | UTC (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (WEST) |
| Postal code | 48XX-XXX Braga |
| Area code | (+351) 253 |
| Patron Saint | Gualter |
| Municipal Holiday | 24 June (Battle of São Mamede) |
| Website | CM Guimarães |
| Official name | Historic Centre of Guimarães |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) |
| Reference | 1031 |
| Inscription | 2001 (25th Session) |
| Area | 19.45 ha (48.1 acres) |
| Buffer zone | 99.23 ha (245.2 acres) |
Guimarães is a city and municipality located in northern Portugal. Its historic town centre has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, in recognition for being an "exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town" in Europe. The Nicolinas are the city's main festivities.
Guimarães is referred as the capital of the Ave Subregion (one of the most industrialised subregions in the country), and located in the historical Minho Province. The municipality has a population of 156,789 inhabitants according to the most recent data of 2023 in an area of 240.95 square kilometres (93.03 sq mi). The current mayor is Ricardo Araújo. Guimarães, along with Maribor, Slovenia, was the European Capital of Culture in 2012. Guimarães also received the 2026 European Green Capital Award.
The city was settled in the 9th century, at which time it was called Vimaranes. This name might have had its origin in the warrior Vímara Peres, who chose this area as the main government seat for the County of Portugal which he conquered for the Kingdom of Galicia. Guimarães has a significant historical importance due to the role it played in the foundation of Portugal. The city is commonly referred to as the "birthplace of Portugal" or "the cradle city" (Cidade Berço in Portuguese) because it was in Guimarães that Portugal's first King, Afonso Henriques was born, and also because the Battle of São Mamede – which is considered the seminal event for the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal – was fought in the vicinity of the city. It was declared the most beautiful small city in Europe by the Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2022.