Focus on… Braga
In February 2020, FDI Intelligence magazine, from the Financial Times, listed Braga as 7th city of the future, in the « small European cities of the future » category.
Several initiatives led to such an international recognition, like the creation of the very 1st local economic development agency in Portugal InvestBraga, in order to stimulate enterprising spirit.
Also, the city counts 19000 companies, some internationals, in innovation, digital or health fields.
In addition, Braga hosts INL, the nanotechnology international Iberian lab, as well as the Minho University, which benefits from more grants than any other portuguese university. « UMinho » developed many international partnerships, some with the INMC members as Clermont-Ferrand (Law, Economy, management and History), Valladolid (Optmetry, product design ans bioingeeniring) and Oviedo (Nursing school, management, Economy and Psychology).
The city has the Portugal’s higher rate in patent filing and is 2nd in terms of number of science and technology students.
This dynamism has been acknowledgement in 2012, when Braga was designated European Youth Capital.
Attractivness is not only economic, but also touristic, thanks to an obvisous quality of life and an important cultural heritage.
Among all monuments to see in Braga, let’s discover the major one « Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte », which is a main asset listed in the UNESCO World Heritage since 2019.
Located on the slopes of Mount Espinho, the sanctuary was developed over a period of more than 600 years, one can access it through the Baroque stairway of the 5 senses, of 583 stairs ans also thanks to its lift, the world oldest lift still fonctionning, using water as motor force.
Braga has also been designated as 2nd best European touristic destination in 2019 by the website « Best European Destinations ».
The city is strongly international, being part of the INMC and the « Global Parliament of Mayors ».
Discover the dedicated file on Braga from FDI Intelligence (July 2019) here : https://www.fdiintelligence.com/Special-Reports/2019/Braga-brings-world-class-innovation2
