Igreja de Sao Vicente (St. Vincent's Church), Braga

The history of Saint Vincent's Church dates back to a primitive temple, which may have been destroyed during the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. A significant artifact from this earlier period is a Visigothic tombstone with an epigraphic inscription, now displayed on the sacristy wall. It bears an inscription that reads: "Here rests Remisnuera, since the first of May 656 (= 618), day Monday, in peace, Amen." This inscription is notably one of the earliest references to the day of the week known as Monday.

The current church, dedicated to Saint Vincent, was rebuilt in the mid-16th century. The façade, with Mannerist and Baroque influences, is characterized by its harmonious rise and intricate Baroque decorations. At the top of the façade, a niche houses the image of the patron saint, Saint Vincent.

The church features a bell tower situated behind the main chapel. Historically, the tower was the tallest structure in the city, making it susceptible to lightning strikes. As a result, it underwent reconstruction, most notably in 1812. At one point, a majestic weather vane crowned the tower, which was crafted by the renowned blacksmith João de Araújo Faúlhas in 1743. In 1813, the Brotherhood of São Vicente decided to protect the tower from future thunderstorms by placing a lead box containing several relics next to the tower's roof.

Inside the church, visitors can admire various notable features. The church houses an organ crafted by the master organ maker Francisco António Solha in 1769. The tile panels, created in 1873 by the Fábrica de Cerâmica das Devesas, add to the church's decorative charm. The walls of the Igreja de São Vicente display two large paintings by Carlos António Leoni. These paintings depict scenes from the martyrdom of Saint Vincent, providing a visual narrative of the church's patron saint.