Social Program
The social program includes the welcome reception and gala dinner for the participants (registration as ‘Student’ does not include the gala dinner). The registration as accompanying persons also includes the participation in several tours. Registration in one or more tours can also be made by persons not registered as accompanying persons.
The welcome reception will take place in Guimarães, at the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança (Paço dos Duques de Bragança), in the 23rd of July, at 20h00.
The welcome reception will start with a visit to the Castle of Guimarães.
The Castle was built in the 10th century by the Countess Mumadona Dias to protect the local population, and soon afterward the town sprang up around these defenses. The history of the castle is intimately linked with the origins of the Portuguese Nation. Within its walls lived generations of ancestors to the first King of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques, whom tradition says was born there as well. The Field of São Mamede, located adjacent to the castle, is said to be the spot of the famous Battle of São Mamede, which took place on June 24, 1128.
Castle of Guimarães on Youtube
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The Paço dos Duques de Bragança, built in the 15th century by the then-future duke Dom Afonso, shows elements of architectural styles common in the Great manor houses and palaces of northern Europe. In the mid-20th century, after a period of disuse and abandonment, the palace was renovated and saw new life as a museum displaying items from the 17th and 18th centuries. Among its various collections, we can find pieces that document Portuguese contributions during the Age of Discoveries, while others narrate events in the Conquest of North Africa. Also in the holdings are a collection of arms from the 15th to the 19th centuries and furniture from the Post-Discoveries era.
Paços dos Duques on Youtube
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The gala dinner will take place in Guimarães, at the mitPenha in the 25th of July, at 20h00.
mitPenha is a contemporary space, located at 607 meters high, on Penha’s hill. It is embedded in the mountain, on a balanced integration with the surrounding ecosystem, enhancing the beauty of nature. MitPenha’s presents a privileged scenery, as it provides a panoramic view of the region, especially of the urban site.
mitPenha on Youtube
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Tours for accompanying persons |
1) Guimarães (half day) - July 24th
Departure from the conference secretariat at 14h30.
Visit to one of the most beautiful and historical cities of Portugal, Guimarães - the Nation’s birthplace.
Surrounded by parks and a 15th century Palace, stands the Castle of Guimarães, which will be our first stop. Simple, but yet a remarkable site, a place full of story. It was here that
D. Afonso Henriques was born in the 12th century from the Count Henrique and his wife D. Teresa. The future king was baptized in the Romanesque chapel of São Miguel outside the castle gates and close to the Ducal Palace.
Continuing with a visit to the 15th century Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, a massive and imposing building with distinctive turrets and brick chimneys. It was built in 1401 by the first Duke of Bragança and rehabilitated in the last century.
The Tour proceeds for a guided tour to the historic centre of Guimarães classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, with its medieval streets layout which is lined with historic buildings everywhere you look. Stop at Largo da Oliveira one of the central points. Free time for a calm stroll.
Guimarães on Youtube
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2) Douro Tour (full day) - July 25th
Departure from the conference secretariat at 9h30.
Meet with Abreu Staff and departure towards the Douro Valley region, worldwide known and famous for the wine production. The first stop will be at Vila Real, a beautiful and ancient city full of manor houses that it’s one of the main characteristics of this city.
Panoramic walking tour through the city center. After this walking tour we will continue to “Solar de Mateus”. The Palace, House or Solar de Mateus is one of the most significant works of the Portuguese civil architecture of the Baroque period, probably built by the Italian Architect Nicolau Nasoni. The building it’s surrounded by beautiful gardens, lined with green boxwood and dotted with flower beds. Mateus it’s also known for the production of the wine “Mateus Rose”.
Vila Real on Youtube
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The tour will continue towards the centre of the Douro Valley region, passing through the city's of Sabrosa and Pinhão. Lunch. After lunch visit and wine taste at “Quinta do Seixo” a wine estate with over one hundred years. Quinta do Seixo also “offers” an outstanding view over the vineyards of this region that was declared by UNESCO as world heritage. Our journey continues with a visit to the city of Régua before the return to Guimarães.
Quinta do Seixo and Peso da Régua on Youtube
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3) Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo (full day) - July 26th
Departure from the conference secretariat at 9h30.
Visit to Ponte de Lima a Portuguese village with its medieval architecture and surrounded by a beautiful green area.
Ponte de Lima has a beauty and very specific and natural environment. It is situated in the middle of the Ribeira of Lima valley. In the Middle Age it was a fortified village with walls 600 meters long, 10 towers, 2 turrets and 6 entrances. In 1995 Ponte de Lima won the European Grand Prize of Tourism and Environment.
Ponte de Lima on Youtube
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We will then proceed to the town of Viana do Castelo, a XII century town (founded 1258), where the modern town has grown near the river Lima. We can visit the Cathedral and you can’t miss the neo-Byzantine Church of Santa Luzia, located on top of the Santa Luzia hill with a breathtaking view of Viana do Castelo, the river Lima estuary and the sea. The city is a living museum, but it is also the capital of the rich Minho folklore, with an important handicraft industry.
Free time for lunch on the city center. We can also visit the shipyards at Viana do Castelo in activity since 1944, being the major Portuguese Shipbuilder (to be confirmed). Return to Guimarães.
Viana do Castelo on Youtube
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