2-370-906 - Samuel Magal/Sites & Photos/Heritage Images

Domus Municipalis and Church of Santa Maria do Castelo, Braganca, Portugal, 2009. The Romanesque Domus Municipalis, built in the shape of an irregular pentagon, is thought to date from the 12th century. Its original purpose is unknown, but it became the town hall of Braganca in the 14th century. It contains a vaulted underground cistern, possibly of Roman origin. The Church of Santa Maria do Castelo was built in 1580 and is the oldest church in Braganca. It was originally built in the Romanesque style. However, restoration works carried out between the 16th and 18th centuries gave it its current Baroque look. The entrance is clearly Baroque, with two highly decorated Salomon (twisted) columns. The church is also known as the Igreja de Santa Maria da Assuncao and Our Lady of Sardao.