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Mosteiro dos Jeronimos Review

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Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Address: Praça do Império, Belém, Lisbon
Phone: 21/362-0034
www.mosteirojeronimos.pt/

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Belem

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Fodor's Review:

Conceived and commissioned by Dom Manuel I, who petitioned the Holy See for permission to build it in 1496, Belém's famous Jerónimos Monastery was financed largely by treasures brought back from Africa, Asia, and South America. Construction began in 1502 under the supervision of Diogo de Boitaca (architect of the pioneering Igreja de Jesus at Setúbal) and his successor, João de Castilho, a Spaniard.

The monastery is a supreme example of the Manueline style of building (named after King Dom Manuel I), which represented a marked departure from the prevailing Gothic. Much of it is characterized by elaborate sculptural details, often with a maritime motif. João de Castilho was responsible for the southern portal, which forms the main entrance to the church: the figure on the central pillar is Henry the Navigator, and the canopy shows a hierarchy of statues contained within niches. Inside, the remarkably spacious interior contrasts with the riot of decoration on the six nave columns, which disappear into a complex latticework ceiling. The Gothic- and Renaissance-style double cloister on the lower level was also designed to stunning effect by Castilho. The arches and pillars are heavily sculpted with marine motifs. It was meant to become, too, the pantheon of the new branch of the royal House of Aviz, of which Manuel I was the first monarch. Notice, also, the presence of elephants supporting tombs—these were derived from the colonies and considered a symbol of strength. The Hieronymite community lived in the monastery for over 400 years until the dissolution of religious orders in Portugal in 1833, when it was turned over to the state.

Cost: Cloister EUR 4.50, free Sun.
Open: May-Sept., Tues.-Sun. 10-6:30; Oct.-Apr., Tues.-Sun. 10-5

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