Publications
A Presença de Emílio Biel no Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte
Historical analysis reveals the significant role of Emílio Biel as a photographer at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga between 1879 and 1880. Through meticulous examination of archival records, including contracts, payment orders, bills of exchange, prints, and photographic views from the Inventory of the Confraternity of Bom Jesus do Monte, researchers uncovered primary sources that illuminate the cultural and artistic context of this period. The study highlights the strict contractual terms imposed on Biel by the Brotherhood's Bureau and provides valuable iconographic evidence for the history of art, offering insights into the unique features and cultural significance of the Sanctuary during this time.
Bom Jesus do Monte, Sameiroy el patrimonio histórico - arqueológico en Braga (Norte de Portugal)
A notable anthropological analysis reveals the deep symbolic significance of Bom Jesus do Monte and Sameiro, two prominent Baroque sanctuaries perched on hills overlooking Braga, Portugal. These sites, rooted in a landscape with prehistoric sacred associations—particularly linked to Celtic traditions—embody a continuity from ancient to modern religious heritage. The study contextualizes these sanctuaries within the broader tradition of 'monte' (mountain) sanctuaries in northern Portugal, highlighting their architectural and cultural importance as part of Braga's rich historical and archaeological legacy. By examining their symbolic dimensions and historical evolution, the research underscores how these sites reflect the intersection of religious practice, landscape reverence, and regional identity.
O Elevador dos Guindais: acelerador de mobilidade, exemplo de visão e de conforto
The Elevador dos Guindais, inaugurated in Porto in 1882, stands as the first funicular in the Iberian Peninsula and a pioneering example of urban mobility infrastructure. Despite its short operational lifespan—closing just one day after its second anniversary—it left a significant mark on Porto's transportation history and architectural heritage. The study highlights its role in shaping urban mobility, contrasting it with the more enduring Elevador do Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, also designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard. While the Guindais funicular succumbed to time and compulsory closure, its legacy persists as a symbol of innovation and comfort in early urban transportation systems. The research underscores the broader impact of such infrastructures on city development, blending technical achievement with cultural significance.
Religious iconography and topography in the garden art of Early Modern Europe. Sources, interpretation, cultural context.
Early Modern European gardens, particularly those of the Renaissance, Mannerism, and Baroque periods, were rich with moral themes and Christian symbols that shaped their design. This study identifies two distinct garden types: architectural (e.g., Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga) and landscaping (e.g., Bomarzo). It explores how these gardens served as symbolic barriers against Protestant lands and delves into the interplay between garden descriptions, such as Francesco de’ Vieri’s 1587 treatise on Pratolino, and inscriptions like those in Valsanzibio. The research integrates firsthand observations from fieldwork, supported by photographs, to analyze how moral programs in gardens can be studied within the broader context of religious history and ideas. Translations into Russian were provided by B. Sokolov.
Sincretismo religioso judaico-cristão e greco-romano no Bom Jesus do SacroMonte bracarense (Braga – Portugal)
Research reveals a significant religious syncretism at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, Portugal, where Jewish-Christian and Greco-Roman symbols were artistically integrated into Baroque art during the 18th century. Initially rooted in 14th-century devotion, the site transitioned under Portuguese rule, particularly during King João V's reign (1707–1750). The study demonstrates how inscriptions originally linking figures like Solomon and Isaías to Jewish or Greco-Roman contexts were reinterpreted to align with Christian narratives of Christ's crucifixion. This transformation reflects a dynamic process of cultural and religious assimilation over centuries, analyzed through the lens of Baroque substitution in the Sacro-Monte's Via Crucis.
A Simbólica do Gosto no Escadório dos Sentidos do Bom Jesus do Monte – Braga
The Stairway of the Senses in the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga, holds significant symbolic meaning within its monumental Via Crucis. This study reveals that the terrace's symbolism, particularly through its sensory elements, contributes to a deeper understanding of the site's broader religious and cultural narrative. By analyzing signs displayed at the Terrace of the Taste, researchers deciphered a layered message that integrates sensory perception with spiritual reflection. The approach involved close examination of textual and visual cues, contextualized within the architectural and historical framework of the Bom Jesus do Monte. This work sheds light on the often-overlooked symbolic dimensions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering new insights into its cultural and religious significance.
As simbologias religiosas dos Santuários do Bom Jesus do Monte de Braga e do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, em Congonhas
A comparative analysis of the religious symbolism in two prominent Portuguese sanctuaries—Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga and Bom Jesus de Matosinhos in Congonhas—reveals a shared iconographic language rooted in Baroque aesthetics, blending Christian devotion with architectural grandeur. The study identifies recurring motifs such as staircases, chapels, and sculptural elements that serve as visual narratives of faith, pilgrimage, and spiritual elevation. Through iconographic and semiotic analysis, the research deciphers how these symbols function as tools for religious communication, reinforcing themes of penitence, divine intervention, and cosmic order. The approach combines archival research with spatial analysis, examining architectural plans, inscriptions, and visual motifs to uncover their theological significance.
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