Arco da Porta Nova
Encyclopedia
The Arco da Porta Nova is a Baroque
and Neoclassical
arch, designed by André Soares
in the late 18th century, in the civil parish of Sé
, municipality of Braga
, in northern Portugal
. The triumphal arch which decorates the western gate of a medieval wall, was opened in 1512 and traditionally used to present the city's keys to dignitaries and celebrities.
, a project that called for a Torre da Porta Nova (Tower of the New City Gate).
In 1512, archbishop
Diogo de Sousa ordered the rebuilding of the tower.
As part of its construction (1772-1773), a statue representing the city of Braga is removed from the Edifício das Arcadas and installed on the arch of the new gate in 1772. Followed the following year by the archbishop (Gaspar de Bragança) ordering the transformation of the tower of the Porta Nova, to a triumphal arch in the Baroque style.
The historic arch was used by the municipality, throughout the 20th century, to promotional and marketing campaigns, including the "És de Braga, não fechas as portas" (Your from Braga, do not close your gates) and "Vai abaixo de Braga" (Come under Braga) programs, among others.
, the arch representing the principal entrance to the medieval city.
A double decorative composition on either facete, the arch has a Baroque
western façade, and an emergente neoclassic
eastern façade, highlighting the many faces of the designerAndré Soares
. The western facete, with its interrupted rounded arch façade, is a Baroque arch flanked by four pilasters and crowned by plinths with pyramidal pinnacles. The interrupted curved arch façade is decorated by the coat of arms of archbishop Gaspar of Bragança, above which is the allegorical figure of the city of Braga. The eastern façade, with only two relief pilasters, is surmounted by and image of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazareth) in a recessed niche.
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
and Neoclassical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
arch, designed by André Soares
André Soares
André Soares Ribeiro da Silva, more commonly known as André Soares was a leading Portuguese sculptor and architect active in Northern Portugal during the 18th century....
in the late 18th century, in the civil parish of Sé
Sé (Braga)
Sé is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Braga. It has a population of 3,587 and a total area of .-Main sights:*Braga Cathedral with the Cathedral Treasure Museum*Arco da Porta Nova*Misericordia Church*Archbishop's Palace of Braga...
, municipality of Braga
Braga Municipality
-Parishes:...
, in northern Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. The triumphal arch which decorates the western gate of a medieval wall, was opened in 1512 and traditionally used to present the city's keys to dignitaries and celebrities.
History
It was King Ferdinand who eventually completed the wall of city of Braga around 1373, a project begun during the reign of his predecessor King DenisDenis of Portugal
Dinis , called the Farmer King , was the sixth King of Portugal and the Algarve. The eldest son of Afonso III of Portugal by his second wife, Beatrice of Castile and grandson of king Alfonso X of Castile , Dinis succeeded his father in 1279.-Biography:As heir to the throne, Infante Dinis was...
, a project that called for a Torre da Porta Nova (Tower of the New City Gate).
In 1512, archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Diogo de Sousa ordered the rebuilding of the tower.
As part of its construction (1772-1773), a statue representing the city of Braga is removed from the Edifício das Arcadas and installed on the arch of the new gate in 1772. Followed the following year by the archbishop (Gaspar de Bragança) ordering the transformation of the tower of the Porta Nova, to a triumphal arch in the Baroque style.
The historic arch was used by the municipality, throughout the 20th century, to promotional and marketing campaigns, including the "És de Braga, não fechas as portas" (Your from Braga, do not close your gates) and "Vai abaixo de Braga" (Come under Braga) programs, among others.
Architecture
It is locked within an urban environment, within one of the city's primary aterial roads, in a transitory space between the Campo das Hortas and Rua D. Diogo de Sousa. Its sits between buildings with three to five storey heights, which are mostly commercial shops on the main floor and residences on the upper floors. In the immediate vicinty is a medieval tower, which now houses the Museu de ImagemImage Museum
The Image Museum or in Portuguese Museu da Imagem is located in Braga, Portugal and is dedicated to photography.The collection is one of the largest and most important in Portugal...
, the arch representing the principal entrance to the medieval city.
A double decorative composition on either facete, the arch has a Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
western façade, and an emergente neoclassic
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
eastern façade, highlighting the many faces of the designerAndré Soares
André Soares
André Soares Ribeiro da Silva, more commonly known as André Soares was a leading Portuguese sculptor and architect active in Northern Portugal during the 18th century....
. The western facete, with its interrupted rounded arch façade, is a Baroque arch flanked by four pilasters and crowned by plinths with pyramidal pinnacles. The interrupted curved arch façade is decorated by the coat of arms of archbishop Gaspar of Bragança, above which is the allegorical figure of the city of Braga. The eastern façade, with only two relief pilasters, is surmounted by and image of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazareth) in a recessed niche.