The town of Guimarães developed itself around two dynamic centres: the castle and the convent of Mumadona, which walled sites were only joined on the 14th century. The historic centre of Guimarães was built on a hill surrounded by two banks. It preserves its medieval characteristics in what concerns the design of the narrow and sinuous streets, the typology of the narrow and long lots, and also the building techniques. During the centuries some squares were built and their shapes reflect the time of their construction. The majority of the buildings are of "chã" architecture with their ground floors in stone (granite) and the floors made of "taipa". But there are also examples of erudite architecture that can be seen in churches, convents and manner houses of which the most relevant, by its dimension and singularity, is the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, built in the 14th century and restored in the middle of the last century. Outside the walls, in the designated surrounding protected area, there are beautiful gardens of classic designs. Near the Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança there is a leisure park built during the reconstruction of these two monuments.