Jerónimos Monastery

Visit one of the World's Heritage monuments!

The Jerónimos Monastery, that in 1983 was announced as one of UNESCO's World Heritage monuments, consists the best symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. It is the result of King's Manuel I inspiration, about building a large monastery close to the site where Henry the Navigator had built a church dedicated to Santa Maria de Belém in the 15th century. This grand religious building was historically associated with the early sailors as explorers, as it was from here that Vasco da Gama spent his last night before his voyage to the Far East.

The monastery was populated with monks of the Order of St. Jerome, whose spiritual job for about four centuries was to give comfort and guidance to sailors - and to pray for the king's soul. When the order was dissolved in 1833 the monastery was used as a school and orphanage until about 1940.

It is a magnificent example of the Manueline style of architecture with Flamboyant Gothic, Moorish, and early Renaissance influences. What characterize Jerónimos Monastery is the use of sculptural detail and often maritime motifs.