The City Today
• on the basis of the its strong link to the people and events involved in founding of the Portuguese Nation,
• due to the fact that architectural techniques developed there in the Middle Ages were then spread throughout the country, and
• in view of the evolution of various types of construction present in Guimarães, notably examples from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
City officials are ardently committed to maintaining the quality of life of the population of Guimarães as well as to preserving the city’s unique cultural heritage.
Their efforts can be seen in the various urban and cultural renewal projects in the Historic City Centre begun in the 1980s. These initiatives focused not only on the renovation of dwellings, squares and public buildings, (which entailed using traditional materials and construction methods in the case of private residences), but also on the preservation of the social fabric of the city.
This renovation was responsible for transforming the Historic City Centre into a lively, sought-after meeting place, frequented by students and townspeople alike, and much admired by tourists. In the summer, many cultural and leisure activities are offered so that the Historic City Centre becomes an even more attractive spot.
Besides this important historical component that characterizes the “Birthplace City,” (Cidade Berço) Guimarães has undertaken to build sport and leisure facilities to improve on the quality of life and diversify the city’s image. Of particular note are:
The Guimarães Athletic Complex, which include the Municipal Swimming Pools, the Running Track, the Cycling Track and the Multi-Purpose Pavilion.
The City Park, which offers residents ample space to practice all types of sport in a natural setting.
The Couros Multi-Purpose Complex, which came into being following the renovation of an urban zone known for the leatherworking trade, the neighbourhood of Couros. The complex is made up of:
The Youth Hostel
The Guimarães Cybercentre
The Social Solidarity Centre
The Youth Support Centre
The Leatherworking Museum (under construction)
Given that the Internet is a vital tool in today’s world, the City has created the Internet Space (Sala Espaço Internet) which provides access to new information technologies free of charge.
The creation of the Vila Flor Cultural Centre, currently in its final stages, will transform a charming 18th century palace, enabling Guimarães to host a variety of cultural events such as operas, music concerts, and theatre productions, with on-site restaurants and sufficient parking.
Rethinking how traffic circulates and how much parking is available is of great concern to local officials, specifically in regard to the impact on the Historic City Centre. To this end, an underground car park is being built at the Largo da Mumadona, adjacent to the area classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. The car park at the Vila Flor Cultural Centre was conceived to improve traffic conditions in the city as well.