Visit

The Raio Palace was built between 1752 and 1755, was restored in 2015 and is now a complete Interpretive Center that, along ten rooms, shows the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Braga’s (Holy House of Mercy) collection – over 500 years of history in a single building that had many uses over the years.

Among other pieces, there are paintings, sculptures, clothing, documents and sacred art. At the entrance, on the right, there’s a room dedicated to the objects used in the hospital that used to function at the Raio Palace until it was returned to the Santa Casa in 2012. On the left, in the room where we recommend you start your visit, you’ll discover more about the city’s other tourist spots.

When we climb the central staircase, imposing and surrounded by traditional blue and white Portuguese tiles, we’ll find the Mexican – the Raio Palace is also known as the "Mexican’s House" – and when we enter the circuit that brings together the entire rich and well organized collection, dedicated to the Church, Sacred Art, the benefactors of Braga’s Holy House of Mercy and one of the city’s most famous processions – Ecce Homo – we realize that this Palace, with its constant ode to baroque and rococo, is a fascinating place.

While visiting the Raio Palace’s different rooms, don’t forget to look up and observe the ceilings. You’ll be amazed at the colorful and detailed drawings that perfectly match the palace’s architecture and all the pieces that are presented to us here.

Cool Tip: In front of the Raio Palace, on the right side of the street (if you have your back to this blue building), you’ll find the Fonte do Ídolo, which also should be visited by those who wish to discover more about Braga’s Roman history and days past.