Padrão do Salado — Attraction in Guimarães

Located in the main square of the medieval city, Praça de Santa Maria - the nerve center of the village since at least the 12th century -, Padrão do Salado is one of the most emblematic monuments of Guimarães and one of the most symbolic works of medieval Portugal .

Its construction dates back to 1340, the year of the Battle of Salado, in which D. Afonso IV took part, together with armies from Castile and Aragon, against Muslim troops from the kingdom of Granada and North Africa. This feat, which will be at the origin of the name "the Brave" of D. Afonso IV, motivated a series of commemorative constructions, in several parts of the kingdom, being this one of Guimarães one of the most famous. In front of the main institution in the city - and one that was certainly connected with the period of condal and autonomy of the kingdom - Padrão do Salado is a relatively modest...

The Padrão do Salado in Guimarães is standing as a testament to a pivotal moment in Portuguese history.

What sets it apart is its direct connection to the Battle of Salado (1340), where a joint Castilian and Portuguese army decisively defeated the Marinid Moors. The monument was erected by King Afonso IV of Portugal as an act of thanksgiving for this victory, making it a rare example of a 14th-century commemorative pillar.

Its most distinctive features include its Gothic architectural style, characterized by a slender column topped with a cross and various sculptural elements, including images of the Virgin Mary and the Portuguese royal arms. The simplicity and elegance of its design, combined with its profound historical narrative, make it a unique symbol of Portugal's medieval military triumphs and religious devotion, holding a special place in the nation's...

Padrão do Salado, in Gothic style...Underneath the pattern is the Norman cross offered by the Guimarães merchant Pero Esteves, residing in Lisbon. The cross, made of limestone, was initially gilded and polychromed. It has on one face Christ Crucified and on the other the Virgin. At the base, it presents images of saints. It commemorates, according to tradition, the Battle of Salado fought in 1340 against the Moors in southern Spain. In this battle, Alfonso XI of Castile requested support from the Portuguese...