Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon
Lissabon, Portugal
14.09.2014
The Hieronymite Monastery and Tower of Belém in Lisbon, Portugal
The Hieronymite Monastery and Tower of Belém in Lisbon, Portugal, are two of the most iconic and historically significant landmarks in the country. Located in the Belém district of Lisbon, these two structures are a testament to the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Portugal.
The Hieronymite Monastery, also known as the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Portuguese, was built in the early 16th century and served as a home for the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome. It was commissioned by King Manuel I as a symbol of Portugal's wealth and power during the Age of Discovery. The monastery is a prime example of the Manueline style of architecture, characterized by intricate stone carvings and maritime motifs.
The monastery's church is the final resting place of several prominent figures in Portuguese history, including explorer Vasco da Gama and poet Luís de Camões. Its grand interior is adorned with stunning stained glass windows, ornate altars, and impressive vaulted ceilings.
The Tower of Belém, also known as the Torre de Belém, is a fortified tower situated on the banks of the Tagus River. Built in the 16th century as a defense system for the city of Lisbon, it is a prime example of Portuguese military architecture during the Age of Discovery. The tower's unique design combines elements of Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish styles.
Today, the Hieronymite Monastery and Tower of Belém are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, highlighting their cultural and historical significance. They are also popular tourist attractions, drawing visitors from all over the world to admire their beauty and learn about Portugal's past.
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Standing at the entrance to Lisbon harbour, the Monastery of the Hieronymites – construction of which began in 1502 – exemplifies Portuguese art at its best. The nearby Tower of Belém, built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition, is a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world.
The Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery (Portuguese: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, IPA: [muʃˈtɐjɾu ðu(ʒ) ʒɨˈɾɔnimuʃ]) is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tagus river in the parish of Belém, in the Lisbon Municipality, Portugal. It became the necropolis of the Portuguese royal dynasty of Aviz in the 16th century but was secularized on 28 December 1833 by state decree and its ownership transferred to the charitable institution, Real Casa Pia de Lisboa.
The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most prominent examples of the late Portuguese Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon. It was erected in the early 1500s near the launch point of Vasco da Gama's first journey, and its construction funded by a tax on the profits of the yearly Portuguese India Armadas. In 1880, da Gama's remains and those of the poet Luís de Camões (who celebrated da Gama's first voyage in his 1572 epic poem The Lusiad), were moved to new carved tombs in the nave of the monastery's church, only a few meters away from the tombs of the kings Manuel I and John III, whom da Gama had served. In 1983, the Jerónimos Monastery was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Tower of Belém.
