Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte tickets: which one to buy

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte stands on a wooded hill above the city of Braga in northern Portugal, about five kilometres from the centre, and entry to the church and grounds is free. The sanctuary is famous for its monumental baroque staircase, which pilgrims climb, sometimes on their knees, and visitors can either walk up the 581 steps or take the Elevador do Bom Jesus, a funicular powered by water counterweight, built in 1882 and the oldest of its kind still operating in the world;

the funicular ride is inexpensive. Buses run from Braga's centre to the foot of the hill. The sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and day tours from Porto usually combine it with Braga's cathedral and sometimes with Guimaraes. The park at the top has gardens, a lake with rowing boats, cafes and hotels, making it a popular spot for families. Parking is available both at the bottom of the staircase and at the top, near the church.

Visiting Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte: what to see

The sanctuary was built on the site of an older shrine, and the present complex was created mainly in the eighteenth century by Archbishop Rodrigo de Moura Teles, with the church designed by Carlos Amarante and completed in 1811 in a neoclassical style. The famous staircase zigzags up the hill in several sections. The lower part, the Way of the Cross, has chapels with life-size sculpted scenes of the Passion. The Staircase of the Five Senses has fountains representing sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch, with water flowing from the eyes, ears, nose and mouth of statues. The Staircase of the Three Virtues represents Faith, Hope and Charity.

At the top, the church facade of white granite looks over a terrace with statues of biblical figures. The church interior holds an altar with a sculpture of the Crucifixion. The views over Braga and the Minho countryside are wide. The fountains of the senses are adorned with allegorical statues and baroque scrollwork, and the terraces offer resting places. At the top, the church's interior has a large sculptural group of the Crucifixion with many figures. Chapels along the path hold carved figures in colourful scenes. The park at the top includes grottoes, a lake and a forest walk.

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte opening hours and the best time to go

The sanctuary grounds are open all day, and the church keeps daytime hours. Weekends and holidays bring many Portuguese visitors and pilgrims, and weddings are frequent. Holy Week is important in Braga, known as the religious capital of Portugal, with processions in the city. Summer is warm and green, and spring brings camellias and flowers to the park. Winter can be rainy.

The funicular runs daily at regular intervals. Walking down the staircase is easier than climbing it and gives the best view of the fountains. Allow about an hour and a half for the sanctuary and the gardens, and combine the visit with the cathedral in Braga's old town. Braga's Sameiro Sanctuary, on a neighbouring hill, gives even wider views and can be combined by car.