Constructed to replace the dilapidated chapel which had previously occupied the same site, the Santos Passos Church and its five oratories, which depict the Passion of Jesus, were designated a protected landmark by the Portuguese government in 1993.

The church is located 571 metres (1,873 ft) above sea level[5] and has a longitudinal floor plan comprising a single nave with concave angles, a rectangular chancel and is set in a northeast-southeast direction.

[4] Inside, the church is filled with fourteen mother-of-pearl framed paintings depicting the Way of the Cross in polychrome 18th century French engravings.

[13] The gardens, officially called Jardins do Largo da República do Brasil, received the national award for good practices in local administration in 2008.

All of the Oratories are constructed using granite and are situated throughout the Historic Centre of Guimarães as part of the Santos Passos Church complex.

Brotherhood of Santos Passos), a fraternal organization founded on 13 November 1594[18][19] and the owner of the chapel, ordered the construction of a "bigger and richer building" on top of the decayed structure.

[15] Years later, the Irmandade recognised the many inconveniences and lack of respect that arose from the incomplete chapel; in 1767, a wall was constructed to close it off probably to prevent vandalism and the structure's collapse.

[20] The chapel did not remain abandoned for long, as the Irmandade decided that they would either reconstruct the building or demolish it and begin the construction of a completely new structure.

[21] André Soares drew inspiration from one of his previous projects, the Igreja da Lapa [pt], constructed some years earlier in Arcos de Valdevez, when designing the façade of the church.

[7] At the Count of Vila Pouca Theatre, also in the Campo da Feira, shows and plays were performed regularly so that money could be raised to aid the construction efforts of the church.

[17] The section of the Medieval Walls of Guimarães that surrounded the Toural was demolished in 1789,[26][27] enabling the reuse of its stones in the construction of the church's apse.

According to many engravings of that time, including a lithograph drawing by George Vivian,[33] the initial appearance of the church façade was more open, making the central section stand out, enhancing the dynamic scenic effect of the wall's undulation.

[34] This new theatre, similarly to its predecessor, contributed in the completion of the church by donating the funds they received from plays and magic lantern slide shows.

[36] At the time of their construction, it was noted that the towers were disproportionately large compared to the rest of the church, eliminating the unity of the original façade.

[37] Inside the church, the neoclassical altarpiece in the chancel, painted in imitation of marble, was crafted by António José da Cunha in 1793.

[17] The four altarpieces in the nave, created by an unknown author, are from a transitional period between the rocaille and neoclassical style and feature panels depicting scenes from the life of Christ.

They were created sometime before 1798, when the painters Marcelo Caetano da Silva and Manuel José Coimbra, both from Guimarães, were hired to paint and gild them.

It will be an expression of the importance of Historical Heritage throughout the world and a stimulus for all those who have been committed to its defence.The Santos Passos Church plays a significant role in the festivities of Guimarães, especially during the Gualterianas.