Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Tenões
The Chapel of the Resurrection is located in the parish of Tenões, in Braga, at the highest point of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. It is the fourteenth chapel of the Via Sacra (Way of the Cross) and marks the culminating moment of Christ's Passion: the victory over death. Erected on the edge of the main avenue, near the top of the staircase, this chapel marks the end of the spiritual journey that leads the visitor from pain to hope, in a luminous and serene environment.
The building stands out for its dominant position and harmonious integration into the mountain landscape, offering an atmosphere of peace and contemplation.
With a square plan and balanced lines, the chapel was built between 1740 and 1741, contemporary with the chapels of the Last Supper and the Garden of Olives. In 1748, an oculus was added to allow the entry of morning sunlight, a symbol of renewal and the rebirth of life. On the upper part of the entrance, there is the Latin inscription “SURREXIT ENIM, SICUT DIXIT” (Matthew 28:6), which translates to “For He has risen, just as He said”. This evangelical phrase summarizes the chapel's deepest meaning: the confirmation of the promise of the Resurrection.
The ensemble was initially decorated with figures by the Braga sculptor João Gambino, active in the first half of the 18th century. The current sculptures, dating from the 19th century, maintain the original spirit, representing the scene with vivacity and balance.
The interior, illuminated by the light entering through the oculus, features the tomb shaped like a grotto, as was customary among Jews. Around it, six soldiers guard the tomb: some are sleeping, others awaken astonished by the noise and light of the miracle. Above the grotto rises the figure of the resurrected Christ, enveloped by a golden ray of splendor, surrounded by angels. The body of Jesus, elevated and serene, expresses the triumph of life over death. The chapel walls are painted with landscapes evoking Jerusalem and the Easter dawn, amplifying the symbolic sense of the scene.
This composition combines light, color, and movement, recreating the instant of the Resurrection with intensity and spirituality, in a representation that celebrates Christian rebirth and hope.
The Chapel of the Resurrection concludes the journey of the Via Sacra of Bom Jesus do Monte, symbolizing the fulfillment of the divine promise and the beginning of a new spiritual life. The natural lighting, the contrast between the dark tomb and the radiant figure of Christ, and the balance between silence and light make this space a point of contemplation and peace. The inscription engraved in the granite “He has risen, just as He said” summarizes the central message of this final chapel: the certainty of the victory of faith and the renewal of hope.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.55617512599462,-8.376789043970454
Coordinates DMS: 41°33'22.2"N 08°22'36.4"W
