Hieronymites Monastery

The Hieronymites Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) is, along with the Belém Tower, the most important tourist site in Lisbon. In 1983 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. Its name in Portuguese is Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.

Hieronymites Monastery, cloister

Church of Santa Maria

Designed by the architect Diogo de Boitaca, the construction of the Hieronymites Monastery began on 6th January 1501, and was completed towards the end of the 16th Century. The predominant style of the monastery is Manueline, and was built to celebrate Vasco da Gama’s return from India.

Curiously, the location of monastery was chosen because it was the very area where the Ermida do Restelo, the church where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent time praying before setting off on their journey, was built.

The Church

The Church of the Hieronymites Monastery is totally different from all the churches that we’ve seen up to this moment. Its unique nave has six columns which are perfectly sculpted and appear to be endless.

The most important places of tourist interest in the church are the tombs of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões.

Cloister

The Cloister of the Hieronymites Monastery is even more impressive than that of the Lisbon Cathedral. The difference can be noted in its dimensions and its perfection.

When walking around the cloister you can visit the church from its upper part and the tomb of Fernando Pessoa. There is also a hall dedicated to the evolution of the monastery, in comparison with the history of Portugal and the world.

Nearby attractions

The Archaeology Museum is located in the building adjacent to the monastery. Not far away you can visit the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, two monuments that, together with the Hieronymites Monastery, represent Portugal's most prosperous period.

Location

Praça do Império, 1400. Belém‎.

Hours

October through April: 10am to 5pm.
May through September: 10am to 6pm.
Monday: closed.

Admission

Church: free entrance.
Cloister:
Adult: €7 (+ Belém Tower, €8 ; Belém Tower + Ajuda Palace, €13).
Senior (65+): 50%.
Young Card: 60%.
Child (<14): free entrance.
Lisboa Card: free entrance.
Sunday and holidays: free entrance from 10am to 14pm.

Transport

Tram: line 15.
Bus: Mosteiro Jerónimos, lines 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51 and 112.
Train: Belem, Cascáis Line.

Map

Closest attractions

Archaeology Museum (0.06 miles)
Monument to the Discoveries (0.28 miles)
National Coach Museum (0.34 miles)
Belém (0.58 miles)
Belém Tower (0.69 miles)

Hotels nearby

Pestana Palace Hotel & National Monument
(1.11 miles)
Hotel Jeronimos 8
(0.07 miles)
Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
(0.38 miles)
Setubalense
(0.2 miles)