PT22 Visit to Bom Jesus

The Sanctuary of Good Jesus of the Mount in Braga is a religious and tourist site located in the parish of Tenões. 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 includes a series of chapels that house sculptures evoking the Passion of Christ, as well as fountains, allegorical sculptures and formal gardens. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 7 July 2019. 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 sanctuary rises to the top of a monumental staircase composed of 17 landings and 583 steps. The site offers the possibility to go boating on a small pond. The students had a great time participating in this sporty and fun activity.

Bom Jesus is certainly a sanctuary, but the students were able to understand that in such a setting spirituality could take different forms. Indeed, the beauty and tranquillity of the site allow everyone, whatever their relationship to religion, to enjoy it in their own way.