Tread Stones – Haiku 2023 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry
Basilica Bom Jesus do Monte, Tenões, Portugal. Image credit:  © Daniela Santos Araújo

many steps one door

personal liturgies tread stones

on unseen mountains

***

Built atop a smaller 13th-century chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross, is the renaissance/baroque architecture Minor Basilica Bon Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of The Mount). Construction on the present structure began in 1784 and was completed in 1834.

This Basilica’s “facade” is “extended” to include a pilgrimage of 573 granite steps leading to the main entrance doors (featured above). Aerial view of the steps and the Basilica below:

Basilica Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga, Portugal Image credit: reddit/eu

The total stair climb to this Minor Basilica’s modest wooden doors flanked by four Corinthian columns is 116 meters vertical.

Three successive flights of stairs lead to the Basilica’s main doors courtyard: the Portico Staircase, the Staircase of the Five Senses, and the Staircase of the Three Virtues. Featured along the way up the mount is an arboreal forest, and nineteen chapels dedicated to the Passion of Christ (stations of the Cross).

Basilica Bom Jesus do Monte, Tenões, Portugal. Image credit: Ingrid via secondhalftravels | flickr

Trivia: Those not inclined to walk up or down the hefty number of black granite stairs may use the Basilica’s “elevator” of sorts, called a funicular (red-roofed mini tram car, seen in the bottom right of the above image). 

Basilica Bom Jesus do Monte’s funicular is an attraction in its own right as it is the oldest one still in service in the world using water as balancing weights to provide its lift capabilities (circa 1882).

Wider angle Basilica Bom Jesus do Monte, Tenões, Portugal:

Basilica Bom Jesus do Monte, Tenões, Portugal. Image credit: elrutitas | Pixabay

For more doors visit – #ThursdayDoors hosted by Dan Antion, No Facilties

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

59 thoughts on “Tread Stones – Haiku 2023 #ThursdayDoors”

  6. It’s a beautiful entrance, and a lovely poem, Suzette. My love of all things railroad might cause me to avoid the 573 steps. Perhaps I could take the tram down. These days, going up stairs is easier than going down. Thanks for sharing the images, poetry and history.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Dan. I am with you on climbing up stairs easier these days!! And of course, as a train fan myself, I would ride the tram a few times…
      Thank you for hosting ThursdayDoors. Much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. wow such an amazing tread to the top with your wonderful poem and pictures Suzette. I just love these old churches. So exquisite and the detail is remarkable. What a great view from the top. Probs have 10,000 steps in just getting to the top! ❣️

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Beautiful structure, built for a deep journey of faith.

    Amazing story about the water tanks as the engine room. I wonder exactly how they work.

    I’m so glad to read about the funicular just in case I visit there someday, because I’m not sure if I’ll climb a 500 or more at one go. I will need a serious conversation with my neurotransmitters just in case I want to climb.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, I agree!! They do ornate craftwork of say.. the Baroque style or Neoclassical architecture, with extra special creativity. Superb!
      Thank you. Happy Thursday!!
      Safe travels, Maggie.

      Like

  17. Yes, a faith journey indeed.
    Regarding how they work. Picture the old scales two sides to it. Place a pail of water on one side. The lighter side goes up. Voila. In the case of the furnicular, the system has two cars, one pulling the other up or down by filling the bottom drum under the car with water.
    Lol, “a serious conversation with my neurotransmitters:…me too!! LOL!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah, I believe you are answering my question.
      Perfect picture you sketch.

      I see it now in my minds eye.
      Such genius at work 🙌 👏 👌

      Lol, I was just thinking it would be nice if the funicular could meet me halfway.
      But of course the system can’t handle my demand. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Oh Absolutely. What a joy for the nation to wake up to the realization of this invention. Some world have so much to talk about and also to be proud of what they have given to the world.

        Lol, yes…lol

        Liked by 1 person

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