Se Cathedral, Braga, Portugal


Related person
Timothy H. Crowther (was created by)
Date
11th century
Description
The construction of the Se Cathedral in Braga began in the 11th century and was commissioned by Count Henry of Burgundy. Today it is Portugal's oldest surviving church. The cathedral was built on the site of a Romanesque building (a Moorish mosque), and its construction over the centuries has given it a truly eclectic flavor. The Gothic arches of the east front were built by Basques in the 16th century, and its Manueline features are credited to Joao de Castilho. Among the many relics (dating as far back as the 10th century) are the azulejos tiles-- glazed pottery tiles that are usually painted in bright colors with floral or other patterns and used on Spanish, Portuguese, and Central and South American buildings -- from the 18th century and elaborate Baroque organs. Keywords: Portugal, Braga, Igreja da Se de Braga, ceremonial and/or religious structures. Submitted by Timothy Crowther, recipient of the 2005 Whitaker Travelling Fellowship.
Style/Period
Medieval (c. 300 CE - 1399 CE)
Gothic
Romanesque
Material
granite