It all started with the house for the Hieronymite monks, a hermitage that was founded by Prince Henry the Navigator at about 1450, where Vasco da Gama and his men spent the night in prayer before departing for India in 1497. The existing structure was started on the orders of King Manuel I to commemorate their successful return, whose construction began in 1502 and took 50 years to complete. Surprisingly the building withstood the great earthquake of 1755 without too much damage.This monastery can be considered one of the most prominent monuments in Lisbon and is certainly one of the most successful achievements of the Manueline style. In 1983 it was classified by the UNESCO, with nearby Belem Tower, as a World Heritage Site.
The building is huge, these are just partial views.
32 comments:
Beautiful place with so much history! I'd love to be there to see it inside and out.
Wow, this is something just great. I love the architecture and so much history.
We toured this building on our visit to Portugal in 2001. It is magnificent and is deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. It has a charming cloisters, exquisite tile, and magnificent cathedral.
je reste sous le charme, magnifique cette architecture avec cette lumière
I stay under charm, splendid this architecture with this light
So, so beautiful. I'm thinking why haven't I ever set foot in Portugal yet? ;-)
Omigod, this is incredible. I used to teach about Henry the Navigator and his achievements! What a gorgeous place. It just blows my mind that something this beautiful still stands from so long ago!
This is going on my list of places I want to see before I die. Can you tour inside the buildings?
Oh wow, such intricate details! I hope you'll be posting more of it. Dave's comment makes it sounds absolutely wonderful.
I love the Manueline style. I really enjoyed my time in Portugal. The architecture is so beautiful and, of course, there are the spectacular tiles (azulejos). It is amazing that this building survived major earthquake. we are so lucky today to have these jewels in our lives given all that can happen through natural catastrophes and wars.
The images are always exquiste and the write ups and wonderful potted history for the virtual visitor.
Marvellous! Happy to have had the chance to see it in real - also!
Wow, this is an impressive place with a vast history. I would love to see it in person sometime.
What a magnificent treasure! The lighting is beautiful in your pictures.
It is splendid!
As you know, we have no buildings here in US that old - especially considering the fact that we weren't even discovered until 1492! But it's so nice to see the history in other parts of the world.
I was just passing by when I took these pics because I enjoyed the pinkish sunset light. The place really deserves a full coverage, the problem is it's allways very crowded, but I have to come back with more time and see what I can do... :-)
I love this place! I took so many photos of it when I was in Portugal last summer. Beautiful shots.
Gorgeous and mysterious!
Beautiful architecture! Great photos!
This history is facinating. Also your picture is fantastic. I love the lighting!
Beautiful place and you show it with a great light.
Some lessons to learn I wonder if our new constructions would be as solid to hold for centuries and through earthquakes..
1450! I've never been in anything so old and the detail on this is amazing!
What gorgeous architectural detail! I love old buildings like this - very beautiful.
Beautiful! I love History and old buildings..I would love to visit your country.
Beautiful photo and building!
It's absolutely gorgeous. The detail in the enlarged view is really something.
I always impressed with the architecture in Portugal. A must visit country in my opinion.
I am curious to see the pictures of inside.
WWOW!
The detail on buildings like this simply amazes me. It's hard to comprehend how many people for how many years it took to do this.
All of that detail around the entrance way is wonderful.
wow! beautiful!
Post a Comment