At the top of Monte de S. Brás, in Santa Cruz do Bispo, there is an incomplete sculpture, of large dimensions, which has become popularly known as the Man of the Apple. It is probably the representation of some ancient warrior or mythical hero. It is accompanied by another zoomorphic sculpture that seems to represent a lion with fantastic features. The statue, with slightly frustrated features, presents a figure with a beard, armor, belt and knee pads. The sculpture is displaced from its original location, at an uncertain date but before the 18th century, at the base of Monte de S. Brás, next to a water well. This statue was placed at the base of the hill for a long time, next to the Chapel of S. Sebastião, having been transported in 1955 to the place where it currently stands. The interpretation of this figure has been quite problematic and controversial, with some authors considering it an example of provincial statuary from Roman times (perhaps from the 1st century AD), while others believe that it would belong to the sculptural groups that in the 19th century. XVI decorated the “Quinta dos Bispos”. Regarding the zoomorphic sculpture that accompanies it, it seems to be a medieval work, showing great similarities with the bases of medieval sarcophagi that we can still admire today in the church of the monastery of Leça do Balio. It was customary in January or February of each year, on the pilgrimage to S. Brás, to hug the statue's neck and, placing flowers on it, ask for a quick marriage. Men and couples touched it so they could have male children and in payment for the promise they poured wine on the statue's head.
Adress: R. Monte São Brás 1, Porto
Time: 24 hours
Comments