On a forested slope east of Braga stands Portugal’s most spectacular
religious sanctuary. In 1722 the Archbishop of Braga devised the giant
Baroque Escadaria (stairway) of Bom Jesus as the approach to a small
existing shrine. The stairway and the church of Bom Jesus were completed by
Carlos Amarante in 1811. The lower section features a steep Sacred Way with
chapels showing the 14 Stations of the Cross, the scenes leading up to
Christ’s crucifixion. The Escadório dos Cinco Sentidos, in the middle
section, depicts the five senses with ingenious wall-fountains and statues
of biblical, mythological and symbolic figures. This is followed by the
similarly allegorical Staircase of the Three Virtues.

At the summit, an esplanade provides superb views and access to the church.
Close by are several hotels, a café and a boating lake hidden among the
trees. Both a pilgrimage site and tourist attraction, the sanctuary attracts
large festive crowds at weekends.