Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, meaning 'Good Jesus of the Mount,' is a significant Portuguese Catholic shrine situated in Tenões, near the city of Braga in northern Portugal. It is celebrated as a prime example of a Christian pilgrimage site, distinguished by its monumental Baroque stairway that ascends 116 meters (381 feet). This impressive staircase and the surrounding sanctuary are a vital tourist attraction for Braga and were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 7, 2019.

History and Development

While the Bom Jesus hill may have been a site of religious devotion since antiquity, the first chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross dates from 1373. This structure underwent rebuilding in the 15th and 16th centuries. By 1629, a pilgrimage church dedicated to Bom Jesus was constructed, accompanied by six chapels focused on the Passion of Christ.

The construction of the current sanctuary commenced in 1722 under the patronage of Archbishop Rodrigo de Moura Telles. His initiative led to the completion of the initial stairway segment, which features chapels adorned with terra cotta sculptures illustrating the Passion of Christ. He also sponsored the subsequent zigzagging stairway dedicated to the Five Senses, with each sense represented by a distinct fountain. A Baroque church, designed by architect Manuel Pinto Vilalobos, was built at the terminus of this section around 1725.

Throughout the 18th century, work continued on the chapels and stairways. In the 1760s, three octagonal chapels were erected in the Terreiro dos Evangelistas, depicting post-Crucifixion events, with their exterior design attributed to Braga architect André Soares. These chapels are surrounded by four Baroque fountains featuring statues of the Evangelists.

Archbishop Gaspar de Bragança initiated the final phase around 1781, adding a third zigzag stairway dedicated to the Three Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity), each accompanied by a fountain. The old church was demolished to make way for a new one, designed in a Neoclassic style by architect Carlos Amarante. This new church, begun in 1784, featured an interior decorated in the early 19th century and was consecrated in 1834, with its main altarpiece dedicated to the Crucifixion. The area around the church and stairway was transformed into a park in the 19th century. To enhance accessibility, the Bom Jesus funicular, the first of its kind in the Iberian Peninsula, was built in 1882, connecting Braga to the hill.

Religious and Architectural Significance

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte's design, particularly its Baroque character amplified by the zigzag stairways, served as an influence for other sites in Portugal and Brazil. As pilgrims ascended, traditionally encouraged to do so on their knees, they engaged with a theological narrative that juxtaposed the material world's senses with spiritual virtues, while simultaneously contemplating the scenes of Christ's Passion. The journey culminated at the church atop the hill, symbolizing the temple of God. The numerous fountains along the stairways further conveyed the concept of the faithful's purification.

The new church, constructed between 1784 and 1834 by Carlos Amarante, is recognized as one of Portugal's pioneering Neoclassic churches. In recognition of its spiritual importance, the church was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica on July 5, 2015, by Pope Francis.