Church of Jesus, facade and entrance doorway

The Monastery of Jesus in Setúbal, the building of which was concluded in 1494, is one of the first examples of the Portuguese Late Gothic style, known as Manueline. This style skillfully incorporates maritime elements and representations from the pioneering voyages of the Portuguese discoverers. World-renowned - and much better preserved - examples of this architectural style are the Monastery of Jerónimos and the Tower of Belém in Lisbon.

Recognised as a tangible witness of Europe’s shared history - having served as the setting for the ratification of the signature of the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 between Spain and Portugal which paved the way for Europe’s expansion both to the Americas and to the Far East - the European Commission decided in 2011 to confer to this exceptional monument with the “European Heritage Label”.

This gem of our common heritage has been generally closed to the public for more than 20 years. It is in an advanced state of decay and urgently requires European expertise and financial support. The complete restoration of this ensemble would also act as a catalyst for the social and economic revival of the historic city centre of Setúbal.