On our third attempt, we were finally successful to make it to Bom Jesus de Monte. Located on the slopes of Mount Espinho, overlooking the city of Braga in the north of Portugal, this cultural landscape evokes Christian Jerusalem, recreating a sacred mount crowned with a church. The sanctuary was developed over a period of more than 600 years, primarily in a Baroque style, and illustrates a European tradition of creating Sacri Monti (sacred mountains), promoted by the Catholic Church at the Council of Trent in the 16th century, in reaction to the Protestant Reformation. The Bom Jesus ensemble is centered on a Via Crucis that leads up the western slope of the mount. It includes a series of chapels that house sculptures evoking the Passion of Christ, as well as fountains, allegorical sculptures and formal gardens. The Via Crucis culminates at the church, which was built between 1784 and 1811. The granite buildings have whitewashed plaster façades, framed by exposed stonework. The celebrated Stairway of the Five Senses, with its walls, steps, fountains, statues and other ornamental elements, is the most emblematic Baroque work within the property. They are framed by lush woodland and embraced by a picturesque park that, masterfully set on the rugged hill, highly contributes to the landscape value of the ensemble. The site is a Sacro Monte (Sacred Mountain), designed to take worshippers on a journey of the senses and faith, a popular theme in European Baroque architecture. Its name means Good Jesus of the Mount.
This is the basilica that sits atop the mountain overlooking the city of Braga. We couldn’t take pictures inside, but yet again, it was a beautiful cathedral. You will just have to take my word for it.
I did get one picture though before seeing the sign that said no photography allowed.
There was NO WAY we were going to hike up the mountain to see Bom Jesus, but fortunately we didn’t have to. There was a funicular that took us up the mountain instead. In fact, it is one of the only, if not the only, hydro powered funicular in the world.
The views were stunning.
These are the beautiful ground of Bom Jesus. There is also a hotel on the property if people want to stay there too.
There was a little fountain below the grotto, and there was a family of turtles hanging out in the sun, catching a few rays.
We took the funicular up the steep mountain, but we walked down the steps, layer by layer, to get to the bottom. Each layer had different depictions of Christ leading up to His crucifixtion.
I won’t show you all of them, but this will give you an idea. As I have mentioned previously, Portugal is a VERY religious, VERY Catholic country. The Catholic Church and its teachings are THE way of life to roughly 90-95% of the Portuguese people.
1893 was the year Bom Jesus de Monte was completed, as it is depicted in this beautiful cobblestone piece on the ground.
We even made a couple of new friends while there too.
After going down the mountain, we took the bus back into Braga. It was time for dinner, and we were looking for a place to eat.
Bom Jesus de Monte was our last big adventure in Portugal. Our trip is coming to an end. I still have a little more to to share, then our Portuguese adventures will be done. I hope you have enjoyed our travels and adventures. If you have never been to Portugal, I highly recommend going, especially if you like history and/or wine and good food and beautiful vistas.
Have a great day and make everyday great. Live life to the fullest. It’s not the destination that matters, but the journey. Enjoy the ride. ‘Til next time.
A Jeanne in the Kitchen 