World Heritage Photos

Bom Jesus do Monte is a sanctuary in the village of Tenões, about 5 km from the town of Braga in Portugal. Braga is situated about 45 km north from Porto and about 25 km northwest from Guimãraes. Bom Jesus do Monte is situated on top of a 116 metres high hill overlooking Tenões and Braga. A sanctuary was built on the spot of a 14th century hermitage. In 1629, a pilgrimage church was built dedicated to Bom Jesus do Monte, Good Jesus of the Mount. The construction of the present sanctuary started in 1722 and was completed in 1811. A church was built at the end of an impressive stairway. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is famous for its Baroque zig zag shaped stairway. The chapels lining the stairway are dedicated to the fourteen Stations of the Cross. The design of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte influenced a number of other sanctuaries in Portugal such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies in Lamego, a town in the Alto Douro Region. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is a major pilgrimage destination in Portugal and pilgrims traditionally ascend the 577-step stairway on their knees. In 1882, a water powered funicular was built to make the sanctuary easier to access. Bom Jesus do Monte was and still is a major stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 2019.

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in Portugal. The Sanctuary is famous for its zig zag shaped stairway, the upper part of the stairway, the pilgrims traditionally ascend the 577-step stairway on their knees. Bom Jesus do Monte was and still is an important stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. 

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: Bom Jesus do Monte is situated on the top of a 116 metres high hill overlooking the village of Tenões and the town of Braga. The Baroque stairway is facing towards the west and on a clear day, it is possible to see the Atlantic Ocean, about 33 km away. Bom Jesus do Monte means Good Jesus of the Mount. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 2019.

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: The sanctuary is situated in the village of Tenões, about 5 km from the town of Braga in the north of Portugal. The monumental Baroque zig zag stairway is considered the main attraction of Bom Jesus do Monte. The dark granite and white stucco stairway leads to the church on top of the hill. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga is one of the most photographed sanctuaries in Portugal.

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: The lower part of the zig zag stairway is known as the Stairway of Five Senses, it is decorated with five fountains dedicated to the five senses, sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. In the 15th century, a small pilgrimage church was built on the spot of a hermitage from the 14th century. In 1629, the small pilgrimage church was rebuilt and dedicated to Bom Jesus, the Good Jesus. Later, this church was replaced by the present church.

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: At the end of the impresive stairway a church was built. The construction of the present sanctuary started in 1722. The construction of the present church started 1784, it was completed and consecrated in 1834, the church is one of the earliest examples of the Neoclassical architectural style in Portugal. The church is surrounded by formal gardens and hidden grottoes. 

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: The decorated dome of the church. The church was designed by the local architect André Soares and built by the Portuguese architect and engineer Carlos Amarante. It was built to replace an earlier church, the design of the interior dates from the 19th century, the main altar is dedicated to the Crucifixion of Christ. In 2015, the pilgrimage church was designated a Minor Basilica by Pope Francis.

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: In 1882 a water powered funicular was built to make the sanctuary easier to access, it was the first funicular on the Iberian Peninsula. The two tracks are connected in such a way that as one cabin ascends, the other one simultaneously descends. Each cabin contains a water tank that functions as a counterweight. On top of the hill, the tank is filled with water to make the cabin descend, the water tank is emptied at the bottom of the hill.

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: Bom Jesus do Monte is most famous for its zig zag shaped stairway. The stairway is composed of two sections, the upper part is the zig zag shaped stairway, the Via Sacra, the Sacred Way. The upper part is adorned with fountains, dedicated to the three theological virtues, Faith, Hope and Charity, the gifts from God Himself. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019.

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   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: One of the chapels of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. The small chapels lining the Baroque stairway are dedicated to the fourteen Stations of the Cross. The chapels are decorated with coloured terra cotta sculptures depicting the Passion of Christ, the story of the arrest, the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The imposing stairway is also adorned with numerous statues and garden vases.

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    Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga: Our own 1974 classic Mini in front of Bom Jesus do Monte. The sanctuary is accessible by foot, by funicular and by car. The design of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte influenced many other sanctuaries in Portugal such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies in Lamego, a town in the Alto Douro Wine Region, also a UNESCO World Heritage.