“Aqui Nasceu Portugal.” The bold letters, nailed to the centuries-old stone walls of Torre da Alfândega, make the quiet and confident claim: Portugal was born here. Not in sun-drenched, azulejos-adorned Lisbon. Not in Porto, with its moody weather and scent of port wine. But here, in Guimarães—a little-known northern town in the heart of the green Minho region.
The weight of its historical significance is everywhere. It lingers in the worn cobblestones, washes over the granite and timber-clad façades, and echoes off the stern ramparts of the medieval castle, still standing strong despite centuries of weather and war. A history so well-preserved, so vividly layered that it earned Guimarães its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2001.
But this is not a dusty old town, resting on nostalgic laurels. With a clear vision for the future and great concern for the planet, Guimarães has embarked on an ambitious journey towards climate neutrality, aiming to become a model of sustainable urban living. Initiatives like a pioneering pay-as-you-throw waste management system, electric public transportation, and an advanced recycling program have earned the city yet another coveted title: European Green Capital for 2026.
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