The unique charm of Estádio Municipal de Braga One of the most beautiful stadiums in the world is located in northern Portugal

The Beautiful Game is an honorific title known worldwide when referencing football. Yet, few locales allow spectators and players to conduct their beautiful game in a stadium fitting the name. That said, there are a few cauldrons of passion that are perhaps more impressive architecturally than the football on display inside, and that is no criticism. The Municipal Stadium of Braga is one such place. Many will be familiar with the protruding jagged limestone rock face that sits at the far end of the pitch breaking up the two 15,000 seater stands, yet despite the unique recognisability of the stadium, few know the story behind one of football’s architectural wonders. 

Nestled in the northwest of Portugal in the Minho District, Braga is the oldest Portuguese city, established by the Romans in 16 b.C (sources vary). Originally named ‘Bracara Augusta’ in honour of Roman Emperor Cesar Augusto, Braga has since remained a central city in the Catholic map of Europe, as witnessed by the S.C. Braga badge which depicts Mother Mary and Baby Jesus, with thousands opting to visit Bom Jesus de Monte on Pentecost to this very day. Fast-forward almost two thousand years to 1921 and the city of Braga welcomes a new presence into its fold, that of Sporting Clube de Braga, an institution encompassing a range of sports but primarily the home of the city’s great football club. Initially, the club rented space on the Campo do Raio to train and compete until 1946 when plans were approved for the construction of a stadium that would become to be known as the 1º Maio. 

SC Braga, at the time of writing currently sits comfortably in third place in Liga Portugal, eight points ahead of giants Sporting with Abel Ruiz playing a starring role. In recent seasons, Os Arcebispos have returned to winning ways, claiming the Taça da Liga in the 2019-20 season, their sixth major trophy. Situated in arguably Europe’s most beautiful stadium, and competing with the giants of Portuguese football, there is a chance that real success will be welcomed at the Municipal sooner than one might expect, something the beautiful quarry richly deserves.