Stairs in Bom Jesus, Religious stairway complex in Braga, Portugal
The Stairs of Bom Jesus are a wide granite stairway in Braga, northwestern Portugal, climbing a wooded hillside to reach the church of Bom Jesus do Monte at the top. The climb is divided into three main sections, with small chapels and decorated fountains placed at regular points along the steps.
The complex was created in the 1720s when an archbishop of Braga set out to transform a modest hilltop sanctuary into a major pilgrimage destination. More chapels and decorative features were added over the following decades until the site reached the form it has today.
The chapels along the path show scenes from the New Testament and give walkers a reason to stop at set points on the way up. The fountains between them carry figures representing human senses and virtues, giving the route a symbolic meaning that goes beyond a simple walk.
Wearing shoes with good grip is worth considering since the granite steps can become slippery when wet. Those who prefer not to walk up can use a funicular that runs alongside the stairway.
Many visitors do not notice that each of the three sections of the climb is dedicated to a different virtue and has its own set of sculptures and fountains. This division was planned from the start and is not a result of the different building phases.
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