Congregados Basilica, Baroque basilica in São José de São Lázaro, Portugal.
Congregados Basilica is a Baroque building with two bell towers crowned by pointed cupolas and a north-facing facade marked by strong vertical lines. The interior features elaborately decorated side chapels with gilded altars and various religious artworks on the walls.
Construction began in 1703 and the building received its initial consecration in 1717, though the towers and facade sculptures were not completed until the 20th century. This extended timeline shaped the architectural blend visible today.
The basilica served as a center for a lay religious movement and still shows signs of this purpose in how its chapels and altars are arranged and maintained.
The basilica is centrally located in Braga and is easily reached on foot from other attractions, with good access from the town center. The interior is typically open during daytime hours, making morning or afternoon visits most practical.
A small aircraft struck one of the towers in 1944, an event still remembered in the city's history. The repairs undertaken afterward left visible marks on the stonework that remain to this day.
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