Mosteiro do Jeronimos

An integral part of Portugal’s sea faring culture and identity, this UNESCO World Heritage site is an iconic attraction of Lisbon. Located in Belem, this fairy-tale monastery was built in the 16th century to mark Vasco-da Gama’s return from the voyage to India. It’s said the enormous wealth he brought back was used to fund the monumental construction of this royal pantheon, which was once populated by monks of the Order of Saint Jerome. Their spiritual duty was to give guidance to sailors and pray for the king's soul. The architectural design display a mix of late Gothic and early Renaissance orders branded by elaborate sculptural details and maritime motifs. The honey-stone cloisters inside the church are exceptional, each column engraved with coils of rope, sea monsters, coral and other sea motifs. Many kings, poets and dignitaries have their bodies buried inside. That includes Vasco da Gama whose tomb always draws visitor attention.