Crown of Thorns Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Tenões

Location

The Chapel of the Crowning with Thorns is the sixth chapel on the Stations of the Cross route of the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, located in the parish of Tenões, municipality of Braga. It is situated on a higher section of the mount, where the path narrows between dense trees and the atmosphere becomes more secluded. The natural setting and the succession of the previous chapels prepare the visitor for one of the most symbolic episodes of Christ's Passion.

Architecture and Visual Elements

Built of granite and having an octagonal plan, the chapel features a simple façade, similar to the previous ones in the complex. Above the entrance door, the Latin inscription is engraved: “EXIVIT JESUS PORTANS CORONAM SPINEAM” (John 19:5), which translates to “Jesus came out, bearing the crown of thorns.” The inscription, carved soberly into the stone, announces the theme depicted inside and invites the visitor to contemplate the suffering and dignity of Christ in the face of humiliation.

The Sculptural Group

Inside, the sculptural group portrays the moment when Jesus is crowned with thorns by the soldiers and Jews. One of the tormentors holds a reed and offers it mockingly, while another spits on Him, expressing the contempt and violence of the scene. The ensemble, attributed to the sculptor Fonseca Lapa, stands out for its dramatic expressiveness and the contrast between the cruelty of the human figures and the suffering serenity of Christ.

Meaning and Reflection

The Chapel of the Crowning with Thorns symbolizes the extreme humiliation of Christ before the crucifixion. The crown of thorns, the reed, and the gestures of scorn evoke the injustice and moral suffering that accompany physical violence. The interior space, with its contained light and dense atmosphere, invites reflection on dignity in the face of pain and the power of silence against offense. This chapel continues the spiritual journey of the sanctuary, leading the visitor to the next moment of the Stations of the Cross: the Chapel of the Ecce Homo.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt