Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Braga > Barcelos > Barcelos > Centro Histórico
The Church of Bom Jesus da Cruz is located in the parish of Barcelos, in the municipality of Barcelos, in the district of Braga, in Portugal.
It is one of the most remarkable examples of Italian-influenced Baroque architecture in the country.
The church is classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1958.
The church originates from the "Miracle of the Cross", a religious prodigy that occurred in 1504, when a black cross appeared in an oak grove called "Campo da Feira" (Fair Field). To protect the cross, a small square temple with a vault and four arches was built. Later, the arches were closed and an arcade covered with a roof was added.
In 1698, the Archbishop of Braga promoted a competition for the creation of a new project for the church. The Lisbon architect João Antunes and the northern architect Manuel Fernandes da Silva presented projects. João Antunes' proposal was chosen and the construction of the new church began in 1705, being inaugurated in 1710.
The church features a Baroque style, with a Greek cross-shaped plan covered by a dome.
Inside, the walls are covered with blue and white tile panels depicting scenes from the Stations of the Cross and vegetal motifs, authored by João Neto de Lisboa. In addition, it has gilded wood carvings, mainly made by the Barcelos sculptor and woodcarver Miguel Coelho. Also noteworthy is the image of the patron saint, Senhor Bom Jesus da Cruz (Lord Good Jesus of the Cross), a 16th-century oak wood sculpture of Flemish origin, with painted face and hands.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_do_Bom_Jesus_da_Cruz
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.531725,-8.61924167
Coordinates DMS: 41°31'54.2"N 08°37'9.3"W
Weather Barcelos
On-duty Pharmacy Barcelos
