Jerónimos Monastery

The Jerónimos Monastery, or Hieronymites Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos), is a former Order of Saint Jerome monastery near the Tajo River in Belém Parish, in the Municipality of Lisbon, Portugal.

Quick facts

• Name: Jerónimos Monastery
• Location: Lisbon, Portugal
• Type of attraction: Architectural/Monastery
• Built: 1495
• Ticket price: From $12, children up to year 12 – free entrance

It was secularized by a state decree on 28 December 1833 and transferred its ownership to Real Casa Pia de Lisboa, the charitable organization. One of the most prominent examples of Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline architecture in Lisbon is the monastery. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, along with the nearby Belém Tower.

Address: Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal

The tombs of Vasco da Gama and poet Luis de Cames, author of the epic The Lusiads, in which he honors the exploits of Da Gama and his compatriots, were put inside at the entryway. Other notable Portuguese figures buried here include King Manuel and King Sebastio, as well as writers Fernando Pessoa and Alexandre Herculano.

The cloisters are spectacular, with each column carved individually with rope coils, sea monsters, coral, and other sea patterns, evoking a time when the world was explored by water. The former refectory’s entrance, which features stunning reticulated vaulting and tile decoration on the walls depicting the Biblical tale of Joseph, is also located here.

The inside of the church is vast, with octagonal piers elaborately carved with reliefs, and there is a garden outside that was set out in 1940 and consists of hedges cut in the shape of numerous Portuguese municipal coats of arms. A big fountain in the center, similarly ornamented with coats of arms, is frequently illuminated on significant occasions.

The garden leads to a small park bordered by a stretch of charming 16th-century cottages that house several traditional eateries with outdoor seating. There is a fascinating Thai pavillion there that was built in Bangkok and moved to Portugal in 2011 to honor the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese arrival in Thailand, which led to the country’s first European alliance.

The monastery is one of the top attractions in Lisbon and in Portugal, together with Belém Tower.

Interesting facts about Jerónimos Monastery

Here are some interesting facts about this amazing landmark:

• It was designated as one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
• The tomb of Vasco de Gama is inside the monastery.
• The actual name is Mosteiro da Santa Maria de Belem.

Read more: Interesting facts about Jerónimos Monastery