Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, Religious sanctuary and UNESCO site in Congonhas, Brazil
The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos is a Baroque church with a main chapel and six smaller chapels arranged along a hillside and connected by decorative staircases. The entire complex includes sixty-four wooden carvings and twelve soapstone prophet statues distributed along the pathways.
A Portuguese man named Feliciano Mendes began construction in 1757 after recovering from illness, dedicating the site to Bom Jesus de Matosinhos. The project grew over decades into an important religious complex and was later recognized as a World Heritage Site.
The site takes its name from a Portuguese pilgrimage destination and displays artworks that visitors walk through to experience spiritual moments. The carvings and statues create a religious setting that continues to draw people from different backgrounds today.
The sanctuary is walkable, with staircases and pathways running along a hillside, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Access to the chapels is generally straightforward, though the site can be challenging during extreme heat or heavy rain.
The twelve soapstone prophet statues along the staircase show masterful carving with subtle features that appear different from various positions. Visitors often do not notice that this geometric arrangement was intentionally designed to enhance optical effects.
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