The Baroque staircase of Bom Jesus is one of Portugal's most famous monuments. It represents the Northern Baroque style, carved from austere grey granite, enhanced by the whiteness of walls base coated with lime. The construction, executed over the course of several decades, shows evidence of different eras. The staircase of Virtues is in the Rococo style, whilst the sanctuary, erected by Carlos Amarante between 1784 and 1811, is neo-Classical.