Jerónimos Monastery

The Mosteiro dos Jéronimos is an homage to the Manueline or the Portuguese Late Gothic style of architecture, built entirely in limestone. The monastery was commissioned by Manuel I to commemorate Vasco da Gama's successful voyage to India. The walls are covered with an assortment of intricate carvings including tropical plants and wild animals inspired by voyages to Africa and the Far East. Inside, there are three tombs: the tomb of Vasco da Gama, the great Portuguese explorer who discovered the maritime route to India, the tomb of Dom Manuel, the king who was in power at the time of da Gama's journeys, and finally the tomb of Luis de Camoes, the poet who accompanied da Gama on his many travels. The monastery was home to the Order of St. Jerome who dedicated their service to sailors embarking on long voyages and was a symbol of Portugal's maritime legacy.