Monuments

The origin of the Igreja do Senhor Bom Jesus da Cruz is related to the mysterious appearance of a cross made of black earth on the fairground in December 1504, and where a small chapel was immediately built in recognition of this divine signal.

Two centuries later, in 1704, work began on the building of a new church on the same site, designed by João Antunes. This well-known Portuguese architect chose to use a very typical style from the north of the country in which granite, the most commonly used building material in the region, was combined with whitewash to produce harmonious baroque forms, in this case Italianate in their inspiration.

The church´s octagonal interior is impressively robust with thick walls and a heavy granite dome, measuring roughly 10 metres in diameter.
Its most notable features are the carved and gilded woodwork of the altars, especially the one bearing the statue of the Lord of the Cross dating back to the 16th century and the 18th-century azulejo panels by João Neto, a prestigious Lisbon tilemaker.

This is the site for one of the most important religious festivals in the municipality of Barcelos, the Festa das Cruzes (Festival of the Crosses), which is held at the beginning of May. At that time, it is well worth visiting the church to admire the carpets of petals strewn across the floor throughout the five days of the festival.