In archaeological terms, you will find the following places of interest in the city, among others:

The Idol Fountain (N.M./ P.V.) is a Roman monument. It’s located in "Rua do Raio", in the central area of the city. Possibly built in the 1st century B.C, the Idol Fountain consists of a water fountain with inscriptions and figures sculpted in a natural granite outcrop. An inscription indicates that a certain Célico Fronto, native of Arcóbriga, ordered the construction of the monument.  Near that inscription is a figure dressed in a toga, which might represent that man. Next to it, over the water fountain, you will find another sculpted figure: a bust, eroded, inside a niche of a classic profile with a dove (figure) on the front. Near that figure you’ll find another inscription with the name of the person who ordered the construction of the monument and the name of the divinity, Tongoenabiago, which is probably is represented by the figure in the niche. Near the fountain there are architectonical traces which indicate that the sanctuary might have been part of a temple.

"Termas Romanas" (Roman Spa)

The Roman Spa of Alto da Cividade (N.M./ P.V.)* is located in the parish of Cividade. In 1977, excavations made in Cividade de Cima hill, uncovered the ruins of a public spa near the Forum of the ancient Roman city located, according to the tradition, in the present Largo de Paulo Orósio. The public spa consisted of several buildings which allowed the inhabitants or visitors to take their bath according to the rules prescribed by medicine at the time. According to these rules, the bather should start by greasing his body with oils and practising some gymnastics exercises, sport or wrestling. Then he would enter a very warm room, the sudatorium, where he would transpire abundantly. He would later go to the caledarium, an even hotter room, where he could be washed and cleansed of the remaining oil. After a short passage by the tepidarium, he would dive in the frigidarium’s swimming pool, whose gelid waters would invigorate his body, followed by a massage and anointment with aromatic oils. The excavated area of the spa covers an area of 850 m2 (9.149 ft²). This spa was, however, larger, as is clear due to the presence of the hypocaust and the swimming pool located in the south, which is separated from the rest of the building by a narrow corridor. All that was left from this spa built in the 1st century is the evidence of these four hot rooms whose hypocausts are in a good state of conservation. It has not been possible to define the internal circuit or the function of some of its annexed compartments. In the late 3rd century, the building was greatly remodelled and its surface was reduced.

"Balneário Pré-Romano" (Pre-Roman Bathhouse)

Bracara’s Pre-Roman Bathhouse (P.V.)* is located in Braga’s Railway Station. It was discovered during the excavations for the new railway station. It has about 4 m in length x 2 m width large (13,12 ft x 6,56 ft), and according to the archaeologists it was built during the pre-roman period (the “castreja” era) in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The Bathhouse was half-buried, typical feature of the “castreja” culture, with stone walls and a flagstone ceiling that join in the exterior walls and in one central beam. The interior was divided in three areas, a sauna room, a small kiln and an intermediate room of transition. Between the intermediate room and the sauna/steam room there is a great flagstone with a semi-circular opening which allowed the entrance and the exit (of the sauna room). The flagstone’s purpose was to retain the heat coming from the sauna.

Abbreviations * N.M. – National Monument P.I.B. – Building public interest P.V. – Possible to Visit I.V. – Impossible to Visit