The jewel in the crown

The history of this monastery dates from 1496 when a request was sent by D. Manuel I to the Holy See for authorisation to build a large monastery on the banks of the Tagus just outside Lisbon.

On the left hand-side of the main entrance, the oldest remaining depiction of D. Manuel I can be found.

The construction work commenced in 1501 and was completed roughly one century later. Manuel I channelled huge amounts of money into the work. A sizeable part of the "pepper tax" revenue, a 5% levy on income from trade with Africa and the Orient, or the equivalent of 70 kg of gold per year, was used to finance the project.

This sculpted relief work on Vasco da Gama's tomb depicts a caravel, the type of ship used by Portuguese explorers during the 16th Century.

The building has a façade that extends for more than three hundred metres, following a principle of horizontality that gives it a harmonious and relaxing physiognomy. It was built in limestone extracted in the nearby sites of Ajuda, Rio Seco, Alcântara, Laveiras and Tercena.

Given the grandeur of the design and sumptuousness of execution, there were several successive works campaigns overseen by several different master builders: Diogo de Boitaca, João de Castilho, Diogo de Torralva and Jerónimo de Ruão are some of the names recorded who left their indelible marks on the complex.

The Jerónimos Monastery is generally considered to be the "jewel in the crown" of Manueline architecture, incorporating both Late Gothic and Renaissance elements and blending regal, Christian and naturalist symbols in its design details to make it a unique and outstanding work.

Manuel chose the Order of St. Jerome, or Hieronymites, to occupy the Monastery.

One of the most important donations to the Jerónimos Monastery was made by Afonso VI and his brother Pedro in return for success at the Battle of Montes Claros in 1665, which put an end to the War of Restoration.

Thus, in 1675, Pedro, as Regent, delivered the grandiose silver tabernacle, the work of the silversmith João de Sousa, which was placed behind the high altar.

With a view to marking the 4th centennial of the arrival of Vasco de Gama in India in 1898 the tombs of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões, both created by the sculptor Costa Mota, were placed in the southern side chapel.

In 1983, the importance of the Monastery in the history of humanity is recognised by UNESCO who classifies it as a World Heritage Site.