A gateway to the Age of Discovery
What does the main entrance of the Monastery tell us about the Portuguese Age of Discovery
View of Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Beach (1657/1657)Jerónimos Monastery
The 15th and 16th centuries were the golden period of the Portuguese maritime exploration, marking a new era of power and wealth for the country. Some of the most important events of this age of discovery happened during the Reign of King D. Manuel I who, as the first monarch of the Avis-Beja, was looking to build a pantheon for his dynasty. This was most certainly one of the reasons that drove Manuel I to the Holy See for authorisation to build a large monastery on the banks of the Tagus just outside Lisbon dating from 1496 creating what is today the Jerónimos Monastery.
by Diogo de Boitaca and Nicolau ChanterenneJerónimos Monastery
This is the Monastery's main entrance, the detailed stonework around it tell us about one of the most important periods of Portuguese history. While it is smaller and less detailed than the South Portal, from the architectural and theological viewpoints. Symbolically facing East, in line with Christian tradition, this is the door facing the High Altar and therefor the Monastery's main entrance. It was designed by Diogo de Boitaca and executed by Nicolau Chanterenne in 1517.
Main GateJerónimos Monastery
On the left is King D. Manuel flanked by his patron saint St. Jerome.
In 1495, Manuel succeeded his first cousin, King John II of Portugal, to the throne reigning until 1521. Manuel would prove a worthy successor to his cousin John II, in his support of the Portuguese exploration of the Atlantic Ocean and development of Portuguese commerce.
During his reign, the following achievements were made: in 1498 the discovery of a maritime route to India by Vasco da Gama; in 1500, the discovery of Brazil by Pedro Álvares Cabral; in 1505 the appointment of Francisco de Almeida as the first viceroy of India; between 1503–1515 the establishment of monopolies on the maritime trade routes to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf.
St. Jerome is depicted on account of King Manuel choosing the Order of St. Jerome, or Hieronymites, to occupy the Monastery. Their role, amongst other things, was to pray for the soul of the monarch and provide spiritual assistance to the seafarers and navigators who departed from the Restelo shorefront to discover new worlds.
by Diogo de Boitaca and Nicolau ChanterenneJerónimos Monastery
At the foot of King D. Manuel and angel hold his heraldic symbol, the armillary sphere and the arms of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Main Gate (1517)Jerónimos Monastery
To the right is Maria de Aragão e Castela, Manuel's second-wife.
As an infanta of Spain, her hand in marriage was very important in European politics. Her eldest sister Isabella, Princess of Asturias, was the first wife of Manuel I, but her death in 1498 created a necessity for Manuel to remarry; Maria became the next bride of the Portuguese king, reaffirming dynastic links with Spanish royal houses.
In 1580, the dynastic links from the marriage led to a succession crisis in Portugal that made Philip II of Spain king of Portugal as Philip I of Portugal.
Main Gate (1517)Jerónimos Monastery
Standing next to Maria is her patron saint, St. John the Baptist.
Main Gate (1517)Jerónimos Monastery
Underneath the Queen is an angel holding her coat of arms - three blooming twigs.
by Diogo de Boitaca and Nicolau ChanterenneJerónimos Monastery
Above the King and Queen, two angels holds the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Renaissance elements include angels in Roman garb...
and cherubs.
In the tympanum there are scenes from the birth of Christ: from the left to right: the Annunciation (of the angel indicating to Maria that she would give birth); the Nativity (the birth of the Christ child); and the Epiphany (the adoration of the magi).
Even though smaller, the importance of this gate is immeasurable on account of the great insights it gives us into the Portuguese Age of Discovery.
Coordination:
Isabel Cruz de Almeida (Director, Jerónimos Monastery)
Text:
Jerónimos Monastery
Digital Production:
Luis Ramos Pinto (Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage, Portugal)
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