The city of Guimarães is historically associated with the foundation of Portuguese nationality and identity, being known as "The Cradle of the Portuguese Nation". Here, in 1128, the main political and military events took place, leading to independence and the birth of a new nation. For this reason, it is inscribed in one of the towers of the old city wall “Here Portugal was born”, a historical and cultural reference for national residents and visitors. The granting, by Count D. Henrique, of the first national charter, at an unknown date, but possibly in 1096, attests to the growing importance of the then town of Guimarães, still chosen as the capital of the then Portucalense County. Guimarães was expanding and organizing. For this reason, it was partially surrounded by a defensive wall in the reign of D. Dinis. Meanwhile, mendicant orders settled in Guimarães and helped shape the city's physiognomy. Later, in the reign of D. João I, despite the intramural village having changed little, it expanded outside the walls with the creation of new streets. At the end of the 17th century and beginning of the 18th, there will still be the construction of some churches, convents and palaces, the formation of Largo da Misericórdia (now Largo João Franco), but its structure will not undergo major transformation. It was from the end of the 19th century, with the new urbanistic ideas of hygiene and symmetry, that the town, elevated to a city, by Queen D. Maria II, by decree of June 23, 1853, underwent its greatest change. The collapse of the walls will be authorized and promoted, streets and large avenues will be opened up, such as the current Largo de Martins Sarmento, Largo da Condessa do Juncal and Alameda de São Dâmaso, and the parking of Colina da Fundação. However, almost everything was done in a controlled manner, thus allowing the conservation of its magnificent Historic Center
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