The Braga Brief, Week of 13 November 2026: Bosch Ends Continuous Shifts in Braga, a Swiss Data-Centre Group Plans 1,800 Jobs in Viana, and Vizela's Mayor Is Charged

Good morning from the Minho. Bosch is changing how its Braga plant works nights, a Swiss data-centre group wants to build three more factories in Viana do Castelo, and prosecutors have charged Vizela's mayor. Here is your roundup for 7 to 13 November.

Bosch ends continuous shifts at its Braga plant

Bosch is ending round-the-clock continuous shifts at its Braga factory, which employs about 3,500 people and is the group's largest plant in Portugal. Jornal de Negócios reported on Thursday that about 500 workers are affected and stand to lose 250 to 300 euros a month in night-work pay; unions are weighing a strike notice. Bosch confirmed it is reorganising schedules, saying base salaries are unchanged but that night-work pay will follow the hours actually worked. The company says it expects double-digit sales growth in Braga this year.

Swiss data-centre group CTS plans 1,800 jobs in Viana

CTS, a Swiss group that designs and builds data centres across Europe, is about to open its first two factories in Viana do Castelo, a 50 million euro investment where it already employs nearly 200 people, and plans three more plants and 1,800 jobs there, Jornal de Negócios reported on Thursday. Its Portuguese companies also include Vindur in Braga and MCPrefab in Barcelos.

Viana tenders a 3.7 million euro ocean technology centre

Viana do Castelo council on Tuesday approved a 3.66 million euro tender to build Sustemare, a research centre for ocean energy and marine technology, on the Praia Norte campus of the Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo. The work has a one-year deadline and is part of a bid for Norte 2030 EU funds. The Sustemare association, which is putting about 1 million euros into equipment, will run it.

Vizela's mayor charged with domestic violence

The Public Prosecutor's office in Guimarães has charged Victor Hugo Salgado, mayor of Vizela, with domestic violence against his wife at their home in February 2025, alleging an assault that broke her nose. The case had been closed in May 2025 after she withdrew her complaint, and was reopened for further inquiries. A separate anonymous allegation involving one of the couple's children was dropped for lack of evidence. The council told Lusa the mayor would not comment for now. He is presumed innocent unless a court finds otherwise.

Sports

Sp. Braga won 1-0 at Rio Ave on Sunday with a 67th-minute Ricardo Horta penalty, their second league win in a row, and are eighth on 17 points. Famalicão have made Ricardo Silva their permanent head coach.

What's On in Braga

Events in and around Braga over the next 14 days.

• 2nd Masterclass Series: Trombone: Fri 13 Nov; Conservatório de Música Calouste Gulbenkian, Braga. A trombone masterclass at Braga's music conservatory, led by visiting teacher João Martinho, solo trombonist with the Hamburg State Philharmonic Orchestra and an assistant professor at the Berlin University of the Arts. Best suited to trombone students and brass players, though anyone curious about how professional musicians teach may find it interesting.
• A Esta Hora, na Infância Neva: Fri 13 Nov, 21:30; Theatro Circo, Braga; €6 to €12. A stage production at Theatro Circo, Braga's historic theatre. The title means "At this hour, it snows in childhood". The venue has not yet published details of the show, so check its programme for the format and language before booking; residents comfortable with Portuguese are likely to get the most from it.
• Beyond Miles: Pedro Emanuel Pereira: Fri 13 Nov, 21:30; Centro Cultural Vila Flor, Guimarães. Beyond Miles is a show by Pedro Emanuel Pereira at Centro Cultural Vila Flor, the main arts centre in Guimarães. The organiser has not published any detail about the programme or the line-up, so check the venue's own listing before you book.
• Beyond Miles: Pedro Emanuel Pereira: Fri 13 Nov, 21:30; Grande Auditório Francisca Abreu, Guimarães; €10 to €15. Pedro Emanuel Pereira performs his programme Beyond Miles in the Grande Auditório Francisca Abreu in Guimarães. The organiser has given no further detail on the performance, so check the venue's own page for the line-up and format before you go. It should suit residents looking for a live concert in the city.
• FENDA ACADEMY 2026: Sat 14 Nov; Conservatório de Música Calouste Gulbenkian, Braga. A series of hands-on Saturday morning sessions for secondary school students. Participants help compose and produce the soundtrack for a video game being developed this year, learning music production, sound recording and sound manipulation. Students sign up through their own teacher, so it suits teenagers already enrolled in a local school.
• Aequilibrium: CD launch recital for trombone and piano: Sat 14 Nov; Conservatório de Música Calouste Gulbenkian, Braga. Trombonist João Martinho and pianist Afonso Rocha play a recital to launch their CD "Aequilibrium" at Braga's music conservatoire. It is a good choice for lovers of classical and chamber music, and for anyone curious to hear the trombone as a solo instrument.
• João Tavares Quinteto: Sat 14 Nov, 16:00; Centro Cultural Vila Flor, Guimarães. A live concert by João Tavares and a five-piece band at Centro Cultural Vila Flor, one of the main arts venues in Guimarães. It suits residents who enjoy small-group live music in a proper concert hall setting.
• University of Aveiro Jazz Studies Centre: João Tavares Quintet: Sat 14 Nov, 16:00; Pequeno Auditório, Guimarães; Free. A jazz concert by the João Tavares Quintet, presented by the Jazz Studies Centre at the University of Aveiro. It is a chance to hear live small-group jazz in an intimate auditorium, and it suits jazz fans and anyone curious about the new players coming out of Portugal's university music programmes.
• angel bat dawid: Sat 14 Nov, 18:00; gnration, Braga; €12. Angel Bat Dawid plays live at gnration, the Braga arts centre known for adventurous contemporary music. A good fit for residents who enjoy experimental and improvised sounds and want to catch an international artist without travelling to Porto or Lisbon.
• Rempis/Adasiewicz/Corsano Trio: Sat 14 Nov, 18:00; Centro Cultural Vila Flor, Guimarães. A live set at Centro Cultural Vila Flor in Guimarães by the trio named in the title. The music does not depend on language, so it is a good choice for residents across the North who want a night of live music at one of the region's main arts centres.

That's the Minho this week. See you next Friday.