September 27

This year’s edition of the “Escadórios da Humanidade”, Portugal’s most challenging competition for firefighters, was one of record-breaking achievements.
In addition to bringing together 1,900 registered firefighters, David Vieira, from Bombeiros Sapadores do Funchal, broke the event’s record by climbing the 566 steps of the Escadórios do Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte in 5.23 minutes. The previous record belonged to Joaquim Aires, from Bombeiros de Lousada, with a time of 5.26 minutes.

The initiative, organized by the Associação Família de Elite and ADN Eventos Desportivos, with the support of the Confraria do Bom Jesus do Monte and the Braga City Council, included firefighters from numerous Portuguese fire departments as well as participants from several European countries, including Spain, France, and Poland.

According to the event’s director, the outcome could not have been more positive, and she is already thinking about the 2026 edition.
“Given the amazing turnout, people are clearly happy, and that fills our hearts. Next year we hope to have two thousand firefighters climbing the escadórios. And I’d like to make a special appeal to all female firefighters to come and take part,” she said.

As Eduarda Gomes emphasized, this Braga-based event is extremely demanding. “Beyond the physical effort, it requires enormous mental and emotional strength because, according to the firefighters who climb, halfway through there’s a strong temptation to give up,” she explained.

One person who didn’t give up and returned this year not only to take part but also to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention was Mariana Lopes, from Bombeiros Voluntários de Leça do Bailio. Wearing pink gear, she participated as a member of the international association Pink Firefighters.
“In Portugal, there are two of us — me and Rui Trovão, a firefighter from Figueira da Foz — and this association’s mission is to raise awareness about breast cancer. We wear this completely pink uniform, which already attracts attention on its own, and we want it to draw attention to cancer awareness, especially breast cancer,” she said.

Carina Ribeiro, a firefighter from Lourinhã, also repeated the challenge this year. Last year she completed it while pregnant; this year she climbed the escadórios carrying her daughter in her arms.

This edition will also be remembered by Patrícia Gomes, a bride who got married during the day at the Basílica do Bom Jesus and was honored with a firefighters’ guard of honor as she entered the church.

Source: Diário do Minho (text and photos)