Monday, March 9, 2009

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

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:

Dina said...

Beautiful place with so much history! I'd love to be there to see it inside and out.

Tara said...

Wow, this is something just great. I love the architecture and so much history.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

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.

Olivier said...

je reste sous le charme, magnifique cette architecture avec cette lumière
I stay under charm, splendid this architecture with this light

cieldequimper said...

So, so beautiful. I'm thinking why haven't I ever set foot in Portugal yet? ;-)

Lowell said...

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!

Nancy said...

This is going on my list of places I want to see before I die. Can you tour inside the buildings?

Hilda said...

Oh wow, such intricate details! I hope you'll be posting more of it. Dave's comment makes it sounds absolutely wonderful.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

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.

Jane Hards Photography said...

The images are always exquiste and the write ups and wonderful potted history for the virtual visitor.

PeterParis said...

Marvellous! Happy to have had the chance to see it in real - also!

Sharon said...

Wow, this is an impressive place with a vast history. I would love to see it in person sometime.

Judy said...

What a magnificent treasure! The lighting is beautiful in your pictures.

nobu said...

It is splendid!

Anonymous said...

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.

Unknown said...

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... :-)

Jessica said...

I love this place! I took so many photos of it when I was in Portugal last summer. Beautiful shots.

Tess Kincaid said...

Gorgeous and mysterious!

crocrodyl said...

Beautiful architecture! Great photos!

Dan said...

This history is facinating. Also your picture is fantastic. I love the lighting!

Marie-Noyale said...

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..

Tanya Breese said...

1450! I've never been in anything so old and the detail on this is amazing!

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous architectural detail! I love old buildings like this - very beautiful.

Mary Helen said...

Beautiful! I love History and old buildings..I would love to visit your country.

kuanyin333 said...

Beautiful photo and building!

Petrea Burchard said...

It's absolutely gorgeous. The detail in the enlarged view is really something.

Copenhagen said...

I always impressed with the architecture in Portugal. A must visit country in my opinion.

humanobserver said...

I am curious to see the pictures of inside.

nanak said...

WWOW!

Joan Elizabeth said...

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.

Jim Klenke said...

All of that detail around the entrance way is wonderful.

escape said...

wow! beautiful!