Speaking to the Lusa news agency, Mayor Isabel Ferreira stated that there is a project for the “enhancement of the entire Monte de São Bartolomeu area, the Estrada do Turismo, and the Saint Benedict site.”

To this end, the municipality and the Cathedral Chapter, which is responsible for the Saint Benedict Chapel and its surrounding area, signed an agreement to enable work across the entire zone.

The project is estimated to cost around 3.4 million euros. For now, the municipality intends to apply for 800,000 euros in European funding to co-finance the works.

“We will certainly launch the [public] tender for the project this year,” Isabel Ferreira assured.

According to the mayor, the project involves constructing a “platform” near the statue of Saint Benedict to create a viewpoint, redeveloping the well-known viewpoint in front of the Saint Bartolomeu Chapel, and “refurbishing the staircase, which is currently in a state of disrepair.”

It also includes restoring the chapel’s support building, which will house restrooms and a café, and installing lighting, which is currently non-existent.

Isabel Ferreira also announced that work will be carried out on Estrada do Turismo, including shoulder improvements and the installation of safety railings, to create pedestrian walkways, noting that currently, “pedestrians cannot walk there and, consequently, cannot enjoy those natural viewpoints.”

“São Bartolomeu was once a very lively area, but over the years it has suffered immense degradation and even vandalism, such as what happened to the staircase, as well as other undesirable activities in the square. Our goal is to revitalise and improve the space... it offers fantastic views of the city of Bragança. Within the parish of Samil, it has the potential to provide excellent infrastructure for picnic areas and recreational zones,” the mayor emphasised.

Mount São Bartolomeu sits on high ground in Bragança, offering panoramic views of the city; the site features a chapel, a support building, abundant vegetation, and a large statue of Saint Benedict (São Bento) that attracts many curious visitors.