Viseu - Sé de Viseu

Chief Viriathus ("Viriato") successfully led the Lusitanians here in their resistance against the advancing Romans in the second century BC, until the latter were able to kill Viriathus and also conquer this area. Various milestones of Roman roads crossing here have been preserved. After the invasion of the Suebi and Visigoths in the 6th century AD, Viseu became a bishop's see.

From the beginning of the 8th century, the region was ruled by Moors. During the Reconquista, Viseu also remained contested. In 1027, King Alfonso V of León fell during the siege of Viseu. Ferdinand I of León was finally able to conquer the region from the Arabs in 1057.

During the revolution of 1383, Viseu suffered some destruction, whereupon King D. João I had the town re-fortified.

Archaeological research has shown that there was an early Christian basilica on the site of Viseu Cathedral, which was built during the time of Suevian rule (5th-6th century), as Pope John III had already established a bishopric here in 572.

After the reconquista, a first church was built from 1094 to 1114 on the site of today's cathedral. The new cathedral was built between 1289 and 1313 under King Dinis I, and the first cloister was added in 1379. The main portal of the cathedral was built in 1513. In the 16th century, the cloister was also extended and the sacristy was built. In the 17th century, the north tower of the façade was rebuilt in its old form following a collapse. Since then, the exterior of the church has remained largely unchanged, although it has been regularly renovated.

The cathedral is a mixture of different architectural styles. From Romanesque to Manueline.
Detail from a large nativity scene from the beginning of the 19th century. An African decorated with feathers with a small elephant in the procession of the Magi