Skip to main content

Nestled in the far northeast of Portugal, Bragança is a city where history and nature intertwine. Its medieval castle, Castelo de Bragança, stands as a sentinel over the landscape, preserving a past that dates back to the nation’s earliest days. Within its fortified walls, the city’s historic heart remains intact, featuring landmarks like the Domus Municipalis, the only Romanesque civic building in Portugal, and the Church of Santa Maria, both echoes of a long and storied past.

Satellite Image: Bragança, Portugal
Bragança, Portugal. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

Bragança is visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 18 January 2025.

Beyond the castle walls, the city extends westward, where historic mansions, the Cathedral, and the Misericórdia Chapel reflect centuries of architectural heritage. Museums such as the Abade de Baçal Museum, housed in the former Bishop’s Palace, and the Graça Morais Centre for Contemporary Art provide a glimpse into both regional history and modern creativity.

The surrounding countryside is just as rich in heritage. Montesinho Natural Park, a vast expanse of unspoiled nature, shelters traditional villages that maintain age-old communal practices, from shared olive oil presses to community bread ovens. The village of Rio de Onor, uniquely divided between Portugal and Spain, is a living testament to the enduring traditions that have shaped the region for centuries. Meanwhile, the Church of Castro de Avelãs once welcomed medieval pilgrims traveling the Camino de Santiago.

With the aid of Copernicus Sentinel-2 data, urban planners and conservationists gain valuable insights into cities like Bragança, helping to preserve cultural heritage and support sustainable development.

Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

Image: The Pope from behind
Reform, social justice and tackling abuse: 12 years of Pope FrancisNews

Reform, social justice and tackling abuse: 12 years of Pope Francis

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP During his 12 years as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis was a voice for compassion and peace,…
SourceSourceApril 21, 2025 Full article
Image: Vegetables, Market, Tomatoes
Cost of living crisis drives widespread food insecurityNews

Cost of living crisis drives widespread food insecurity

By Liesel Spencer, Western Sydney University | 360info Worries about putting food on the table face almost half of Australian households. Amid the cost of living…
SourceSourceSeptember 4, 2024 Full article
Image: Lighter-coloured roads, ground and tree cover can have a big impact on the amount of radiant heat released from surfaces, as this thermal image of a Darwin streetscape shows (cropped)
Lessons for the world in how Darwin keeps it coolNews

Lessons for the world in how Darwin keeps it cool

How Australia's hottest capital city is confronting the challenges of dealing with heat in a warming climate might offer solutions for the world. By Stephen…
SourceSourceApril 2, 2025 Full article