Braga is one of the oldest Portuguese cities and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world; founded during the roman era as Bracara Augusta, it has more than 2000 years of History as a City.
In the course of the centuries some legends, tales and myths were born.
Legends about the Bom Jesus
Two legends about the Bom Jesus do Monte, related to the appearance of a Cross and a Goblet lead us to an historical reflection, in addition to others versions to which we do not give any credibility, as the tales about the Longinus and the water of the cave.
The first one is related with the appearance of a Cross, beneath the sky of the Monte de Espinho (Espinho Mountain), after the battle of Salado in the XIV century. Braga’s prelate at the time, D. Gonçalo Pereira, ascribed the victory in that battle to the Holy Cross, of which he was devout, as was his son, who had Holy Cross in his banner. Because that cross appeared in the skies of Espinho Mountain, on the foothills of Carvalho Mountains, the archbishop and the population ran to the venue and erected a Cross, building a small chapel. Bom Jesus holds inside one of the greatest secrets of all History. Besides the legends, the true fact and all the potential of this natural phenomenon, the devotion to the Golt Cross began spontaneously. Therein first steps were taken, ideas were planted which sprouted luxuriantly, a cross was erected and so began a path of devotion that lasted and kept the strength of those days.
The second one is about the appearance of a Goblet, at the times of the reestablishment of Portugal’s independence, in the XVII century. According to popular culture a resplendent chalice had appeared over Espinho Mountain. Immediately people ran with more intensity to Bom Jesus in a sign of gratitude. The Castilian oppression contributed to unite Braga’s citizens under the protection of Bom Jesus do Monte, as well as to its projection outside the region. Much people attributed the success of Portugal’s independence in 1640, and the end of Filipes’ domain to divine intervention. The Archbishop of Braga, D. Rodrigo da Cunha was one of the main antagonists to Portugal’s incorporation in Spain, supporting the rebellion. For that reason, legends related to Bom Jesus and Portugal’s independence are not seen as odd. Furthermore, from an iconographic analysis of the stairway of the five senses and virtues stands out a chalice, a Eucharistic symbol, unnoticeable for most pilgrims and attendees of the resort, where is glimpsed, with some benevolence, the base, the stem and the cup.
