The Bom Jesus Elevator is located in the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, Tenões parish, in the city and county of Braga.this funicular inaugurated on March 25,1882 is the first built in the Iberian Peninsula and currently the oldest in service in the world to use the system of counterweight water
To start the ride, the driver opens the water tap and fills the tank to the desired level, depending on the number (and weight) of occupants.
Each cab has a water tank of 5,850 litres. The upper cab thus becomes heavier than the lower cab, and movement is initiated by releasing the brakes on both cabs.
At the foot of the hill, the water is discharged and the cycle repeats. As well as being a counterweight, the reservoir supplies the cooling circuit for the front brakes.