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The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is one of the most emblematic monuments of Lisbon and Portuguese history.
The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, or Hieronymite Monastery, is one of the most emblematic monuments of Lisbon and Portuguese history. Built in the Belém district, opposite the Tagus River, it is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture, a Gothic style characterized by the use of maritime and plant motifs, symbolizing the age of Portuguese discovery. The monastery was commissioned by King Manuel I in the early 16th century to commemorate the triumphant return of Vasco da Gama after his discovery of the sea route to India. Built on the site of a former church, the monastery was entrusted to the Order of St. Jerome, hence its name. This religious order's mission was to provide spiritual guidance to sailors and pray for the king's soul. It took a hundred years to complete, mobilizing craftsmen from all over the world, under the direction of architects Diogo de Boitaca, then João de Castilho. In the 19th century, the large west wing (now the Archaeological Museum) was added, copying the style of the main building. The monastery houses the tombs of several illustrious figures, including Vasco da Gama, the poet Luís de Camões and the great writer Fernando Pessoa. In 1983, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The church leads to the cloister, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture. A day in the sun will reveal its perfect harmony and creamy hues. Carved stone reigns supreme: there's not a column, capital, pillar or arch that isn't a pretext for motifs, interlacing, variations on ornamental foliage and the symbolism of circles, punctuated by different gargoyles. Profusion and luxuriance of nature, ordered in symmetry as it dominates - the law of harmony. Speaking of symmetry, there's a place in the church marked with a black tile, where the Christ on the upper floor cuts the rose window exactly down the middle. The small fountain, placed in one side of the cloister, used to be in the center. It depicts a tamed lion kneeling on a prie-Dieu..
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Opening time and information on MOSTEIRO DOS JERÓNIMOS
Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 6 pm. Free admission to the church. Access to the cloister: €10.
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Members' reviews on MOSTEIRO DOS JERÓNIMOS
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
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Then we had to walk around trying to find the right queue (there are no visible signs indicating any of this), and once we stood in the right one, it was a full 2 hour wait in the full sun to finally get in. This was on a Tuesday morning! They prioritized tour and student groups while allowing only 6-10 people at a time. By the time we finally made it inside the line extended the entire length of the monastery and snaked around it as well.
After all of that, I had hoped the wait was worth it, but alas, no. It's a big, ornate beautifully designed and built monastery with intricate column, balustrade, and arch work, with vaulted ceilings over wide colonnades around a central courtyard, plus two spacious rooms (the former refectory and Chapter House). There's also some interesting painted tile work depicting scenes from Christ's life as well as Passoa's tomb. All important, to be sure, but with almost no informational signs or plaques, you're basically looking at a beautiful building with zero context. No furnishings, no artifacts, just big, empty rooms.
At €12 euros per person plus the crazy wait times, it's so not worth it. There are beautiful, richly adorned historic cathedrals and churches all over Lisbon that are much easier to find and visit. I've visited gorgeous colleges at Oxford in the UK that are nearly free and look just as stunning as Jeronimos that are much better managed and organized and give plenty of historical information.
Skip this entire place, spend time getting some delicious Pasties de Belem down the street, and find better historic religious sites elsewhere.