Arco da Porta Nova

The Arch of the New Gate, 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 entrance to the medieval wall of the city, was opened in 1512 and traditionally used to present the city's keys to dignitaries and celebrities.HistoryIt was King Ferdinand who eventually completed the wall of city of Braga around 1373, a project begun during the reign of his predecessor King Denis, a project that called for a Torre da Porta Nova (Tower of the New City Gate). Around 1505, and lasting to 1532, archbishop Diogo de Sousa had people working on the construction of the Porta Nova (New Gate). This building project included a phase of rebuilding of the tower, around 1512.Sometime in the 17th century, Archbishop José de Bragança, ordered the reconstruction of the Porta Nova gate, to include the extension of Rococo decoration. As part of its construction (1772–1773), a statue representing the city of Braga was removed from the Edifício das Arcadas and installed on the arch of the new gate (around 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.