Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Annunciation - Serapicos

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Annunciation is a Marian sanctuary located in the parish of Serapicos.
Although it is not known when the original chapel was built, it is known that it was built in thanks to the inhabitants of the village, after one of them, who was returning home on a winter day in a cart drawn by a yoke, was surprised by hungry wolves. In distress, the man begged the help of Our Lady, and the wolves retired without doing any damage to either of their two animals.
The chapel, under the invocation of Our Lady of the Warning, already existed in the late seventeenth century and was served by a confraternity of the same name. The confraternity dates back to 1726, because at that time it was already enriched with indulgences.
The primitive chapel, damaged by time, was replaced by the current one, in the same place, around 1890.
The pilgrimage procession takes place annually on the first Sunday of June.
Exemplary religious architecture. It integrates eight temples allusive to the ordeal.

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Visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte - Tenões (Braga)

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, located in the parish of Tenões, is dedicated to Senhor Bom Jesus and is constituted by an architectural-landscaped set composed by a church, the staircase where the Via Sacra do Bom Jesus is developed, a garden area Bom Jesus, some hotels and a funicular.

His peculiar disposition was the inspiration for other constructions, such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies in Lamego and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos in the city of Congonhas in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

It is classified as Property of Public Interest.

It is believed that the primitive occupation of this site dates back to the beginning of the 14th century when someone will have erected a cross on the top of Mount Espinho. In the year 1373 a hermitage is already mentioned in the place, under the invocation of the Holy Cross. This hermitage will have been attached to the parish of Tenões.

Local of devotion and pilgrimage of the people of the region of Braga, in 1494 was erguida a second hermitage. A third hermitage was erected in 1522.

In 1629 a group of devotees constituted the Confraternity of Bom Jesus do Monte, being built a chapel where was placed an image of Christ Crucified, besides houses for shelter of the pilgrims, and the first chapels of Passos of the Passion, in the form of small niches.

From 1722, the then Archbishop of Braga, D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles, conceived and initiated a great project that would lead to the present Sanctuary.

This church was designed by the architect Carlos Amarante, by order of the then Archbishop of Braga, D. Gaspar de Bragança, to replace the previous one, erected by D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles. His works began on June 1, 1784, and were completed in 1811.

The churchyard, also designed by Amarante, features eight statues representing characters who intervened in the condemnation, passion and death of Christ.

The church has a plant in the shape of a Latin cross, constituting one of the first neoclassical buildings in the country. Its façade is flanked by two towers, surmounted by a triangular pediment.

Visit the Garden of Bom Jesus do Monte - Tenões (Braga)

The Bom Jesus do Monte Garden is located in Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, in the parish of Tenões. This picturesque and paradisiac place, invites to rest and meditation, has a huge diversity of species of trees; dense vegetation (heather, moss, herbs); pleasant retreats; some caves; water breaking everywhere; springs; streets, paths and paths; rustic bridges; plant nurseries.

From the year 1877, a commission headed by António Brandão Pereira will draw up a first plan for the construction of a park and a lake.

Hence the existence of the lake, enlarged in 1908, extending southwards along cliffs from which flows the water to the lake.

Throughout the park, and in the shade of old and leafy trees, we found tables and benches for picnics.

Visit the Funicular of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus - Tenões (Braga)

Bom Jesus Funicular is located in Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, in the parish of Tenões, connects the upper part of the city to the Sanctuary, overcoming a drop of more than one hundred meters in height, and follows a path parallel to that of the Staircase of the Good Jesus.

It was the first funicular railway built in the Iberian Peninsula, and is currently the oldest in service in the world using the water balance system.

It was built to replace the Braga line of Americans, which originally extended to the sanctuary and had to have its horse-traction supplemented by steers on the steep ascent on days of greater affluence.

It operates on a ramp, consisting of two independent cabins, connected to each other by a funicular system with water balance. Each cabin has a tank, which is full of water when at the upper level, and emptied when at the bottom. The weight difference thus obtained allows the movement. The amount of water is calculated according to the number of passengers in the cabins, with each trip.

It was inaugurated the 25 of March of 1882.

Visit the Staircase of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus - Tenões (Braga)

The Bom Jesus staircase, located in the Parish of Tenões, which runs from the Portico to the Terreiro de Moisés, has a difference of 116 meters, with 573 steps in granite and is divided into three Stairs: The Portico Staircase with 376 steps, O Staircase of the Five Senses with 104 steps and Staircase of the Three Virtues with 93 steps.

In the portico is born a majestic staircase, built on the initiative of D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles, divided by several flights with levels. The pavement is of small stone, crushed between carved stonework, with steps in front of the chapels. The parapets headed in stonework are ornamented at the angles with armillary spheres or pyramids.

Visit the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena da Falperra - Nogueira (Braga)

The Church of Santa Maria Madalena, also known as Church of the Falperra, located in the Parish of Nogueira, is a church that was built with the aim of being a sanctuary. It is in the mountain range of Falperra.

The church was built in the 18th century and features Baroque religious architecture.

The interior is lined with 18th century tiles by the ceramist Policarpo de Oliveira Fernandes.

This Church is classified as a National Monument.

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Visit the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia and Santa Eufemia - Silvares

The Sanctuary of Santa Luzia and Santa Eufemia, located in the Town of Silver is composed of a set of images that are distributed in different levels of the central staircase of 143 steps.

Visit the Shrine of St. Benedict's Open Door - Rio Caldo

The Shrine of St. Benedict's Open Door originated in a chapel built on the site, circa 1640, whose doors were always open to provide shelter to those who passed.

The construction of the current sanctuary began in 1880 and was completed in 1895, is characterized by tile panels of the chancel, depicting the life of St. Benedict, as well as the altarpiece of gilded wood.

The large number of pilgrims prompted the construction of new facilities near the original sanctuary, whose works were completed in 2002, which is part of a ward to care for pilgrims, with 14 beds.

There is also a park with tables and benches, where pilgrims can relax, dine and even fun in a lake with boats.


The Cult of St. Benedict in Rio Caldo, originated by the influence of the monks of Santa Maria de Bouro. According to tradition the original chapel had a porch, as most of the chapels of the hills and he always kept the doors open to provide shelter for passersby. The result was the appointment of Sao Bento da Porta Aberta.


Panels Tiles

The tile panels of the sanctuary, were painted by Cherub Lapa, and portray the life of St. Benedict.
At first we see the monk Romão to deliver food to S. Benedict, who for three years remained isolated in a cave on Mount Subiaco, the 60Km. Rome, in prayer and meditation.

The second panel shows us how S. Benedict goes beyond the temptations through sacrifice ("threw himself naked in the middle of a thicket of thorns") and prayer. This is an essential part of the lives of monks and the "rule of St. Benedict."

The following panel narrates the episode of sickle, lost in the lake, which was recovered by S. Benedict: sickle plunged the cable that was to meet him and could therefore, the monk to continue working. The work is a component of the Benedictine rule, alluded to the right side of this panel.

The fourth panel presents two episodes from the life of the Holy. The first episode of the poisoned bread and Crow (See "The Saint") and the second related to the history of rock that was impossible to remove from where it was found (the monks have attributed this to the presence of the devil). Only with the intervention of S. Benedict, who launched his blessing on it was possible to achieve their removal.

In the following panel is depicted the encounter between Totilo and S. Benedict. Totilo, king of the Ostrogoths, who took and sacked Rome in 547, attempted to deceive the Holy and ordered a security officer who dressed your clothes and meet with S. Benedict, like the king himself. But it was recognized immediately and returned to tell Totilo what had happened.
The sixth panel resembles the appearance no one knows how, two hundred measures of flour in sacks, the door of the convent, while the region of Campania faced a severe shortage of food deprivation and the Friars went into your food. On the right panel appears a reference to the famous monastery of Einsiedeln, Switzerland, great center of culture and great importance in expanding the Benedictine spirit.

The revelation of plans for the construction of the monastery of Terracina is portrayed in the next panel. S. Benedict sends brothers to this city in order to build a monastery and assures them that he will give them all necessary information. In fact, in a dream are revealed all building plans. The right side shows the "Rule", which describes the actions and procedures of the monks, and whose motto is "Ora et Labora," Pray and Work.

The eighth panel presents the final meeting of S. Benedict with his sister, Scholastica, during which occurred the miracle of the storm. To claims of his sister, so that this gathering is prolonged, S. Benedict reacted negatively. He succeeded, however, a violent storm, which prevented the Saint returned to his convent and left her sister.
The table presents the following panel, reflects the vision starring S. Benedict, when, at night, standing at her window, saw the world as they gathered in a single ray of light and soul of the bishop of Capua, Germano, be conducted by an angel, toward heaven. Reference on the right side, to St. Cecilia, patron saint of music and the Benedictine Abbey of Solesmes, where he developed the Gregorian chant and whose library had extraordinary collections of musical manuscripts.

The last panel refers to the death of S. Benedict announced in advance, by himself, to his disciples. Death is not the end but the beginning of the evangelizing action. Currently, S. Benedict is known as the patriarch of the West and the "Father of Europe".