🎬 Introduction

In Lisbon’s Belém district, the Monastery of Jerónimos (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) stands as one of Portugal’s seven wonders. It is a symbol of the times when Portugal flourished during the Age of Exploration, becoming an unlikely global empire. Additionally, it was the place where the Lisbon Treaty was signed on December 13, 2007, reshaping the European Union’s institutions and establishing the European Community.

📖  The Story

“Built out of pepper”

The Monastery ensemble, a gem of Portuguese architecture, was commissioned by King Manuel I (1469-1521). In 1495, he sought papal approval for its construction. His goal was to create a pantheon for the Avis-Beja dynasty, of which he was the first monarch. The Hieronymite order was chosen due to its reputation among Iberian families.

The monastery, built on the former site of the Church of Our Lady of Belém, served as spiritual refuge for sailors. Construction began in 1501, lasting a century. Its first architect was Diogo de Boitaca, considered the creator of the Manueline style, later he was succeeded by João de Castilho. The Manueline style, named after King Manuel I, drew inspiration from Portugal’s relationship with the sea, combining Gothic with sculptures with maritime motifs, with oriental elements and with rich religious motifs.

The construction expenses for the monastery were funded through a donation from Bartolomeo Marchione, a Florentine banker and slave trader. Additionally, a 5% tax on the trade of spices, roots, precious stones, and gold contributed to the funding. As a result, the monastery was humorously referred to as being “built for pepper”.

As per King Manuel I’s wishes, he and his second wife, Maria of Aragon, were interred in marble tombs supported by elephant-shaped structures, the most spectacular animals of that time in Lisbon. Maria of Aragon, the daughter of the most powerful rulers of the Spanish Trastámara dynasty – Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, she became the wife of Manuel after he was widowed by her older sister Isabellia of Asturias, passed away during childbirth. In other tombs, Manuel and Mary’s son – King John III and his wife Catherine of Austria – were buried.

In 1894, Vasco da Gama’s tomb, the explorer who in 1498 pioneered the sea route from Europe to India, was relocated to the monastery. Luis de Camoes, a renowned Portuguese Renaissance poet, rests in another sarcophagus nearby. Despite being hailed as the “prince of poets,” Camoes faced underappreciation and poverty during his lifetime. In 1988, the remains of another exceptional poet, Fernando Pessoa, were also moved to the monastery. The Hieronymites Monastery, surviving the 1755 earthquake, became a significant religious site. During the 19th century, the monks left, and the adjacent church served as Belém’s new parish. The monastery now houses the Museum of Industry and Commerce and the Portuguese Ethnological Museum collection. It was declared a national monument in 1907 and inscribed on UNESCO’s heritage list in 1983.

🚶‍♀Visit

The church and monastery stand parallel to the Tagus River. For centuries, people admired them while sailing down the straw-colored river. Interestingly, the old riverbed was much closer to the monastery than it is now, unobstructed by today’s trees. The monumental monastery dominated the landscape of the original village of Belém. Its bright facade, over 300 meters (984 feet) long, captivates with richly adorned portals, statues of saints, and rulers. The limestone walls reflect the sun, emphasizing the architects’ message from the 16th century: “We are wealthy and deeply religious”.

Inside the monastery, the cloisters adjacent to the church are marvels. Intricate sculptural decorations and figurines of historical figures adorn them. Double arches on both levels add delicacy and lace-like lightness. Each column is unique, despite being made from the same materials, creating an impression of diversity and harmony.

The Church of the Most Holy Virgin Mary is stunning. Its rib-vaulted ceiling, crowns a dome 25 meters (82 feet) above the ground, supported by octagonal, slender pillars—likened to a stalactite-filled cave in old guidebooks. Additionally, there’s a solid silver tabernacle where consecrated Eucharistic bread is stored during Mass. The colorful stained-glass windows, recreated in the 1930s, also leave a remarkable impression.

✔ Planner

• Visiting the Hieronymites Monastery is a paid experience, 💰and tickets 🎫can be purchased online 💻or just before entry at a tent in the park area opposite the church. Long queues often form along the length of the monastery entrance. Although tickets specify a half-hour entry slot, ⏳it is not guaranteed. However, having a valid ticket will still allow entry even if the designated time has passed. ⌛Additionally, tourists with the Lisbon Card, 🪪 which grants free entry, stand in the same queue—no one is privileged, and patience is required.
• The entrance to the church is free, 🆓and there’s a second queue along the church leading to it. Both queues move efficiently, so waiting is worthwhile.
• To reach Belém, take tram number 15 in the direction of “Alges.” 🚋🌟