Mosteiro dos Jerónimos was most likely built as thanks for explorer Vasco da Gama’s successful travels to India.
The discovery of this sea route ensured that in the 16th century King Manuel I became the richest monarch in Europe.
Building style
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is built out of limestone and you will find beautiful Eastern and Moorish decorations which are all related to sea travels. It is built in the so called Manuel-style, the building style named after the King. The south portal of the monastery is exuberantly decorated and the monastery has a double cloister with wide coverings.
Museum
The western wing of the monastery is a maritime museum. This part gives a good impression of the strength of the navy that Portugal once had. There are old sea maps and many models of the ships with which the Portuguese discovered the world. And of course loads of objects that the explorers brought back to Portugal.
Famous tombs
In the church of Santa Maria (located in the monastery) are graves of the members of the royal family, but also of Vasco da Gama and the poet Luís de Camões.
Another poet, Fernando Pessoa was buried in the corridor of the adjacent monastery in 1985, fifty years after his death.
Impressive
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is very impressive. When you stand in front of it and you try to get the whole scene in one photo, you need to take a few steps backs to get the whole building on your screen.
The monastery is so big that you’ll almost never get it in one shot completely. The further you go from the monastery, the more beautiful the views and the greater the chance of that one beautiful shot!
From the convent it’s a less than 5 minute walk to Pastéis de Belém. If you see a lot of people coming from a store, you’ll know you are there.
Hoe kom je bij Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Adres: Praça do Império, Belém
Opening hours: October to April: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | May to September: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm