Bom Jesus do Monte: The pilgrimage site in Braga, Portugal
If you’re looking for a slice of authentic Portugal, then the northern city of Braga is the place you are looking for. Here you can enjoy traditional Portuguese food and lots of hospitality away from the tourists.
Braga is located in the heart of the green Minho region and it is famous for its historical buildings, monuments, gardens and fountains. In this beautiful region religious devotion combines with modern in a marvelous way.
Photo: Bom Jesus do Monte.
NORTHERN PORTUGAL AND THE MINHO PROVINCE
Known for its hospitality, the Minho province in Portugal is the ideal spot if you want to sip Vinho Verde in a sidewalk cafe, to travel through time when visiting some of Portugal’s most historic landmarks, or to enjoy a day on the beach.
The Minho Region got its name from the Minho River and it is also home of Portugal’s famous wine “Vinho Verde.” This part of the country is also known for pottery and ceramics that are made here.
Photo: Cathedral of Braga.
Minho is a traditional Portuguese Province from Northern Portugal
Among the biggest cities in this region, you can find Viana do Castelo, Guimarães, and Braga, all rich in culture, tradition and history.
Photo: Braga main street.
PORTUGUESE HISTORY OF BRAGA
Braga is one of the most important touristic points in Portugal and this is because of its cultural and historic richness. The city is known as the religious center of Portugal due to many churches and monasteries that abound in the area.
Roma Portuguesa, as it was known previously, is a city full of history. In the 1st century BC it was a Roman settlement and later on it was invaded by the Germans. During the Reconquista Braga became the main center of Christianity in Portugal and many religious buildings were built in the region.
Braga is one of the most visited cities in Portugal
Photo: Arco da Porta Nova, Braga.
Cidade de Braga is known today as the most religious city in Portugal and the main tourist attractions here are its historic center and the Cathedral. On the other hand, Braga is also a cosmopolitan and young city due to its university.
Cidade de Braga Portugal
Braga has an unusual history and it is known as the city of the Archbishops as the Portuguese Rome and has a touristic offer that can satisfy multiple demands and interests.
As one of the largest cities from Portugal, the city is an important economic and educational center that attracts many tourists every year.
Photo: City of Braga.
Map of Braga in Portugal
Braga may seem similar to other Portugal cities, with historic architecture, old cathedrals, museums, small cafes and restaurants. But what most attracts the tourists to come visit it is its religious importance and some traditional festivals.
If you are wondering where Braga is, let us tell you that the city is situated in the northern part of the country, in the middle of Cavado Valley.
Here is an interactive map that you can visit.
Braga weather conditions
The region of Braga is one of the coldest regions in Portugal that has an average daily high temperature of 20 degrees centigrade. This part of the country is not the best destination if you are looking for a beach holiday.
The best time for traveling here is in August as it is the part of the year when it´s warmer.
BRAGA PORTUGAL THINGS TO DO
Whether you want to pray, to shop or to taste the local cuisine, there are plenty of things to do in Braga. This city has many exciting attractions to offer that’ll keep your to-do list full and also your legs on the go.
Let´s see a few of those things:
Photo: Bom Jesus do Monte.
About the beach in Braga
The sun is shining and the temperatures are pleasantly warm, so this could be the perfect day to spend at the beach in Braga.
For instance, the Adaúfe River Beach is a favorite one for Braga and not only. This is mainly due to the “mini” waterfall generated by a mill and a device for water elevation and irrigation of the fields. Here you can enjoy the clear water, sand and grass, and the roasters and picnic area.
Braga is charming, young, old, and dynamic, all at the same time
BRAGA PORTUGAL AND ITS NIGHTLIFE
First of all, it’s cultural in Portugal to go out late at night.
If you want to dance you should go to Sardinha Biba although is always crowded. The nightclub is the most famous in Braga, it has a wide range of drinks to choose from and a huge space to dance the night away.
If you want to see more in one night you should head to Rua dos Bares, a street next to Universidade do Minho. This street in Braga is filled with bars, so you’ll find many people wondering around and many places to eat, from pizza to kebab stores and Portuguese cuisine restaurants.
Braga may be a small city, but it has a lot of places to go out. And in each one of them you will sure be in a treat.
Photo: Cathedral of Braga.
BOM JESUS DO MONTE, THE PILGRIMAGE SITE IN BRAGA
If there is one attraction in Braga which you MUST VISIT, this is El santuario de Bom Jesus do Monte. This incredible sanctuary was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 due to its outstanding cultural value.
The pilgrimage site in Braga is considered one of the masterpieces of European Baroque style and its centerpiece is the granite double staircase which is lined with chapels representing the Stations of the Cross, along with the Stairway of the Five Senses, and the Stairway of the Three Virtues (namely Faith, Hope and Charity).
When going up, you will discover all the important viewpoints over Braga or you may take a stroll in the Sanctuary’s Garden. In the park surrounding the church, you can take a walk, visit some ancient caves, or even take a boat out on the lake.
The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte creates a cultural landscape on the hill that can be seen from far away.
Photo: Bom Jesus do Monte.
BRAGA IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
This medieval city has a very-well preserved ‘Old Town’. It is the capital of the Portuguese baroque movement. Wandering around feels like being transported back in time to a scene in the ‘Three Musketeers’! The Cathedral, the Republic Square, the Five Senses Stairs, the baroque churches, the old 18th century painted houses… all these make the place worth visiting. What do you say?
Photo: Hand Sculptures. Braga.
