The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos (Portuguese: Santuário do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos) is an 18th-century Roman Catholic basilica located in Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was built in the Baroque style with an interior inspired by the Rococo style from Italy. The basilica is famous for its large outdoor staircase decorated with statues of prophets from the Old Testament. Inside, there are seven side chapels that show the Stations of the Cross. Each chapel has a colorful sculpture created by the artist Aleijadinho (born 1730 or 1738 – died 1814) and his helpers. These sculptures are considered masterpieces of Baroque art. The basilica was recognized as a historic site by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) in 1939. It was also named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Location
The sanctuary is located on top of Morro do Maranhão, a hill that is part of the Serra do Ouro Branco. It can be reached by walking up steep, stone-paved streets in the old part of Congonhas.
Bom Jesus de Matosinhos
The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos is named after Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, a title used to refer to Jesus. This title is connected to a colorful wooden statue. The statue is located in Matosinhos, Portugal. Some people believe the statue was made by Nicodemus, a person who knew Jesus during his lifetime. The statue is thought to look very similar to Jesus, and it is considered the first image of Jesus to arrive in Portugal.
History
The sanctuary was built by Feliciano Mendes. Mendes promised to create the sanctuary after he recovered from a serious illness in 1757. After Mendes died in 1765, religious services began at the sanctuary. The sculpture of Bom Jesus at Congonhas do Campo is considered a strong symbol of prayer assistance. People believed that praying in front of the sculpture increased the chance of their prayers being answered. This made the site a well-known place for pilgrimages, where people traveled to seek help and support from Jesus.
Structure
The church follows the Portuguese colonial Baroque style. Maria Elisa Carrazzoni calls it "the largest and most notable group of buildings and art in the country." The church has a rectangular shape, one main aisle (nave), a choir above the entrance, and a chancel separated from the nave by a large arch. Corridors around the chancel lead to a sacristy at the back. The church's front has a central section for the main building. A single entrance has a carved stone frame. Germain Bazin says the detailed front was designed by Aleijadinho.
Inside, the church is decorated in the Rococo style. The altars, statues, and ceilings and walls have gilded carvings. Jerônimo Felix Teixeira completed the chancel arch altars between 1765 and 1769. Manuel Rodrigues Coelho finished them in 1772. João Carvalhais (altar of Saint Anthony) and Bernardo Pires da Silva (altar of Saint Francis de Paula) added gilding and painting. João Antunes de Carvalho completed the high altar between 1769 and 1775. Francisco Vieira Servas sculpted two large angels holding torches in the chancel in 1778. The four reliquaries were made by Aleijadinho's workshop and painted by Mestre Ataíde. Bernardo Pires da Silva painted the chancel ceiling between 1773 and 1774. The painting shows the burial of Jesus.
Protection and management requirements
Since 1939, when the sanctuary was named a historical site, the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional – IPHAN) has worked to protect and keep it safe. Their goal is to preserve the importance of the site and the values that people associate with the sanctuary.
Room of Miracles
On January 29, 1981, the Room of Miracles was recognized as a protected historical site by IPHAN. This is a special room where people who believe in Bom Jesus give gifts to show gratitude for the blessings they received through Bom Jesus's help.