SANCTUARIO DO BOM JESUS DO MONTE
Sanctuary perched on a hill and accessible by large stairs, by funicular or by car in Braga.
It's impossible to miss the sanctuary of Bom Jesus (or Braga), located east of Braga, on the heights of the city. Perched on a hill and accessible by large staircases, by funicular or by car, the sanctuary has been classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2019. It is a basilica built in the 18th century (replacing the old church, destroyed), between 1784 and 1811, by the architect Carlos Amarante. The monumental staircase represents the Sacred Way of Bom Jesus. It is zigzagged and divided into three parts. The first, baroque, presents the stations of the Cross. In the section of the five senses you can see fountains and statues of biblical characters. The section of the three virtues represents faith, Christian charity and hope. For those who would not dare or could not make the ascent on foot (575 steps and 116 m difference in height), the funicular follows a path parallel to the stairs. It is the oldest hydraulic funicular in the country (1882), and even in the Iberian Peninsula. Access by car is not free (less than one euro). The sanctuary's grounds include a forest park where it is pleasant to stroll, to rest after the climb, to discover caves along the paths, and why not take a rowing boat and glide happily across the small lake. So take the time to enjoy the scenery before going back down or staying at one of the hotels in the park.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on SANCTUARIO DO BOM JESUS DO MONTE
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.