Braga and Guimaraes

We drove to Porto via Braga (third largest city) and Guimaraes, where we had found a couple of items of interest to see.

First stop at Braga to view the popular pilgrimage site, Bom Jesus and it's incredible symmetrical staircases. Here pilgrims can walk up the staircase visiting the graphic 3D stations of the cross in small chapels along the way.

Hazy views over the city with the bushfires to the north.

We are definitely in Portugal, judging by the frequency of hand painted tiles.

The trip back up the staircase was by the water ballast powered elevado, I'm sure you engineers will know how that works.

Water gets pumped into tanks underneath the elevado before it descends.

Then it was off to Guimaraes, an absolute treat. First stop was at Portugal's first King, Alfonso Henrique's, castle.

Next door is the palace.

We wandered down into the old city via Rue Santa Maria, where we found the first of several 3D stations of the cross scattered throughout the city in walls between shops or standing alone.

More tiles.

Mike finally got his first Portugese tart (Three today. Scores: 9, 8 and 8)

Guimaraes is just gorgeous, we were a bit sad to not be spending a night there. Lovely plazas, cute alleys, quaint shops, very artsy.

The cathedrals with its outside portico.

Another church, Santa Maria.

Then it was off to Porto, along some more narrow and winding roads. Our Airbnb is FANTASTIC, huge, clean and very comfortable, so a night in before exploring tomorrow.