Monastery Jeronimos

The monastery was founded by order of King Don Manuel I, near the exact place where Henry the Navigator played a key role in the overseas ventures of Portugal. He also built a church dedicated to Santa Maria de Belém which we will also visit. Jerónimos Monastery was designed to commemorate the voyage of Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India by sea. Construction began in 1501, but it wasn’t completed until the seventeenth century. Back then, the monastery was populated by monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, who gave guidance to sailors and prayed for the king’s soul. Today it’s a popular tourist site and hosts important diplomatic meetings. The Monastery was classified as UNESCO World Heritage site together with the Tower of Belem in 1983

The Jeronimos Monastery is towards the end of the building.

If you have time afterwards, the Archaeology Museum and the Monument to the discoveries are also located in this extremely long building.

The imposing facade of the monastery extend for about 985 ft. in height. There are two entrance the main one is the the one on the left with an arched portico, the southe enterance with the red door is on the right and a lot more decorated.

In 1502, King Manuel I, ordered the Jerónimos Monastery to be built in honor of the successful voyage to India of celebrated Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama. (Da Gama and his crew had spent their last night in Portugal in prayer there before they left). The monastery took around 100 years to build, and is a beautiful example of Portugese late Gothic architecture

The main portal, although it is smaller compared to the south portal, is the most important one; it is symbolically oriented towards east and it represents the access to the church. It is perfectly in line with the main altar. It was designed by Boitaca and realized by Nicolau Chanterenne in 1517.

The portal leading to the entrance is straight ahead and the church is on the right. We will visit the church after the monastery.

Entering the building.

You have to go up a flight of stair first.

We are now on the first level of the cloister.

The cloister of the Jeronimos Monastery is probably the main attraction of the monastery as it is one of the most beautiful cloisters of Europe.

Gorgeous vaulted ceiling.

Groin vaults with wide arches on the ceiling.

The cloister was built in the Manuelino style, which is basically a lavish style of architectural ornamentation distinct to 16th century Portugal. It’s essentially an over-the-top embellishment of the Flamboyant Gothic style

Each column is carved differently with intricate details.

The cloister courtyard.

The courtyard was used mainly for the seclusion of the monastic community, it was a pleasant and serene place that allowed prayer, meditation, and recreation for the monks.

The courtyard has a square shape of 180 square foot with a small fountain in the center.

More view of the courtyard in a different angle.

The entrance of the former refectory.

This room is the former refectory that has beautiful reticulated vaulting and tile decoration on the walls, depicting the Biblical story of Joseph.

Blue, yellow and green Azuro tile panel on a wall in the refectory.

Long and narrow, the refectory features fabulous vaulting and rope-like Manueline moldings and decorated with beautiful 16th century azulejo panels.

The Refectory hall served as the dining area for the monks, and with the Lion Fountain outside, where the monks washed their hands before meals.

A large mural at the end of the room representing the Adoration of the Sheppard, attributed to Antonio Campelo- Circa 16th century.

Refectory was built between 1517 and 1518 by Master Leonardo Vaz and his officers.

Arcades with magnificent stonework.

Entering the Chapterhouse. Chapter House is a hall present in almost all monasteries, convents, and collegiate churches, where meetings were held between monks, nuns, etc...

Inside the Chapterhouse is the Tomb of Alexandre Herculano. He was born in Lisbon in 1801, was a Portuguese poet, novelist, historian, farmer and a liberal politician.

In 1888 Herculano's remains were transferred to the Chapterhouse in the Jerónimos Monastery, which had been expressly prepared to receive him in a tomb built with public donations. In 1910 the centenary of Herculano's birth was commemorated nationwide.