World Heritage: Guimaraes, Portugal

Photo shows the Church of S. Francisco in the Historic Centre of Guimaraes in the north of Portugal. The historic town of Guimaraes is associated with the emergence of the Portuguese national identity in the 12th century. An exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town, its rich building typology exemplifies the specific development of Portuguese architecture from the 15th to 19th century through the consistent use of traditional building materials and techniques. The Historic Centre of Guimaraes was inscribed in the World Heritage List in 2001.