Bom Jesus da Lapa

Cave Sanctuary Inside A Limestone Hill Above The SãO Francisco River In Western Bahia, A Pilgrimage Site Since The Late Seventeenth Century · Bom Jesus da Lapa, Bahia

Bom Jesus da Lapa is a sanctuary built inside the caves of a limestone hill that rises abruptly beside the São Francisco River in the dry interior of western Bahia. According to tradition, in 1691 a Portuguese man, Francisco de Mendonça Mar, withdrew to the cave as a hermit with an image of the crucified Christ, and pilgrims began to follow. Today the main grotto is a church, with the altar, pews and candles set under the rough rock ceiling, and other grottoes in the hill hold further chapels, including one to Nossa Senhora da Soledade. One cave is a room of ex-votos, filled with photographs, wax body parts, crutches and letters left in thanks for prayers answered. The town around it exists largely for the pilgrims. The main romaria culminates around 6 August, when large crowds arrive from across the north-east by bus, truck and car, and other pilgrimages happen through the year. It is remote, a long drive from any big city, and the sertão here is hot and dry for much of the year.

Santuário do Bom Jesus da Lapa, Bom Jesus da Lapa, BA, Bom Jesus da Lapa, Bahia, Brazil

The sanctuary is an active place of worship, open to visitors every day, usually from early morning to evening, with the main grotto in use for Masses throughout the day - confirm the schedule with the sanctuary before planning around a service. Visitors can walk through the grottoes between services but should stay quiet during Mass. The room of ex-votos and the other chapels keep similar hours, though some areas may close at lunchtime or at short notice. Around the main romaria, which culminates on 6 August after days of novenas and processions, the town fills with pilgrims, lodgings sell out, streets are closed to traffic and access to the grottoes means long queues. Other romarias, including gatherings in July and September, also bring crowds. Outside these periods the sanctuary is much calmer. Climbing to the top of the hill is best in the early morning or late afternoon, as the rock heats up badly by midday.

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