Lisbon Attractions

Venue: Monastery of Jeronimos    When: Daily

A vast homage to the seafaring men who made Portugal's name, the Monastery of Jeronimos was established in 1496, when the king petitioned to set up a monastery devoted to the protection of Portugal's sailors and explorers.

Building work took up the most part of the 16th century, with the resulting edifice taking its place both as one of Belem's most notable landmarks and as the textbook example of Manueline architecture. This style of architecture, particular to Portugal, is an ornate blend of late Gothic and Renaissance, with signs of seafaring, nature and the monarchy (rope, flora, fauna and coats of arms) sculpted into the columns.

The monastery housed monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, whose prayers were intended to safeguard the seafaring Portuguese on their expeditions. Today, it is empty of inhabitants, though it does house the tomb of Portugal's most notable sailor, the explorer Vasco de Gama. A pilgrimage to visit the resting place of the ultimate traveller and the expanses of Manueline architecture are reason enough to visit this Lisbon landmark, while the Naval Museum is also housed in the monastery complex.