The “Archbishops of Braga” stamp issue had its philatelic beginningsin 2017, with the release of the rst six stamps, on the commemorationday of the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of His Excellency the Most Reverend Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga, Archbishop of Braga and Primate of the Spains, who honoured us with his presence and seal. Raul Moreira, Director of Philately of the CTT – Correios de Portugal,provided historical and cultural context for the o cial presentation.As previously mentioned, the idea of the stamp collection originated in the editorial project of a book, with the same title, developed in parallel to the emission of an estimated eighteen stamps. It will be a synthesis of the Episcopal Fasti of the Archdiocese of Braga – a cultural initiative of the Archdiocesan Commission for Patrimonial Assets – CABP, integrated into the scope of the work of the Institute of History and Christian Arts – IHAC.
This project (stamps and book) is based on the oil paintings of the Prelates of the Archbishops of Braga Gallery, property of the Archdiocese, as well as the Arms of Faith (coats of arms) with a pastoral, spiritual and material biographical summary, authenticated by the signatures of the Archbishops and Lords of Braga.
In 2019, in collaboration with the CTT, an issue of three new stamps was released to the public, making a total of nine celebrated by the CTT and so-called Portuguese Rome.
This year’s souvenir sheet features panoramic and aerial views, in three-dimensional photography, of the architecture and landscape of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Monte Sameiro, also in Braga. It is the apex of the so-called “Tourist Triangle” of Braga – which we prefer to call the Sacred-Tourist Triangle of Braga.
In the year that marks 150 years since the Inauguration and Solemn Blessing of the Primitive Monument of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady of Monte Sameiro, on 29 August 1869, mysteriously destroyed in the early hours of 9 January 1883, the Sanctuary has been renovated with works carried out on Avenida de Nossa Senhora do Sameiro and the entrances to the Basilica (improving, inparticular, the limited accessibility and mobility). A tourist o ce forSameiro and the holy mountains was built, and the Sculpture of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, from the Primitive Monument, was reconstructed from fragments (using a process of conservation and restoration).
Finally, the triple issue brochure, a compilation of elements of the historic Church of Braga (the chronology, life and work of the Prelatic Ministry), displays on the frontispiece a view of the inside of the Cathedral – the nave photographed from the narthex – contrasting the austerity of the granite with the exuberance of the gold, which illuminates and invigorates the woodcarving, from which the majestic pipe organs of the rood screen stand out (in scale, formal expression and presence).
António Gerardo Monteiro Esteves,Architect and Director
of the Archdiocesan Commission
for Property and Heritage
