The city name goes back to the end of the Roman Empire and the
early Middle Ages where its name is derived from the Roman term "viso", which means a good view. This was in accordance with
where the original settlement was formed in Roman times, and was highest point.
In 693 AD Viseu was taken by the Moors who
held it for almost a century. Viseu has a statue of Viriathus, the Lusitanians leader who fought the Romans for the freedom
of the area called Lusitania. Viriathus was born in Loriga in the Serra da Estrela, which is also in the Beira Alta. The city's
cathedral dates from 830 AD.
Viseu was the birthplace of one of the greatest Portuguese painters
of the sixteenth century, Vasco Fernandes (1475-1540), known as Grão Vasco, who today lends his name to a museum, a hotel,
and even a brand of wine. The museum, installed in the old episcopal palace, shows some of his masterpieces and paintings
of other painters of the period known as the school of Viseu.
The city is rich in churches, convents and chapels. In addition
to the cathedral there are six major churches, four chapels, two convents, and the bishop´s palace. There is also a sacred
art museum in the cathedral.
