According to tradition, an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, brought by the apostle S. Tiago, was placed on a square. It is for this reason that this very old square, which still preserves its medieval design, is called Praça S. Tiago.In the 11th century, the Franks that accompanied Count
D. Henrique established a chapel there dedicated to the saint.In the 17th century, the temple was demolished and replacedby another, from which there aren’t also any remains. Later,in remembrance of these pre-existing structures, a scallop shell was engraved on the pavement – evoking S. Tiago –
and the first Latin words of the Charter, granted by Count D. Henrique to the men of Guimarães: “To you men that came to populate Guimarães and to those that want to live here ...” [“Ad vos homines qui venistis populare in Vimareneset ad illo