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JERONIMOS MONASTERY

The Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) is located in the Belém district of Lisbon, Portugal. It was built on the orders of Manuel I (1515-1520) to commemorate Vasco da Gama's successful return from India.

Construction of the monastery began in 1502 and took 50 years to complete. The building of the monastery was funded by a 5% tax on eastern spices, with the exceptions of pepper, cinnamon and cloves, revenue from which went straight to the Crown.

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos was built on the site of the Ermida do Restelo, a hermitage founded by Henry the Navigator. It was at this hermitage that Vasco da Gama and his men spent the night in prayer before departing for India.

The monastery was designed in the Manueline style by Diogo de Boitaca (who was probably one of the originators of style, together with Igreja de Jesus) and by Joao de Castilho, a Spaniard who took charge of construction in around 1517.

The ornate main entrance to the monastery was designed by Castilho and features several carved figures, including one of Henry the Navigator.

Within the monastery is the stone tomb of Vasco da Gama (1468-1523), as well as that of the poet and recorder of the discoveries, Luís de Camões (1527-1570).

In an extension added to the monastery in 1850 is located the Museu de Arqueologia (Archaeological Museum). The Museu da Marinha (Maritime Museum) is in west wing.

The monastery, like the nearby Torre de Belém and Padrao dos Descobrimentos, symbolises the Portuguese Age of Discovery and is among the main tourist attractions of Lisbon.