Cultural Heritage
One of the most famous Portuguese monuments, located in Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery is considered a masterpiece of Portuguese architecture from the 16th century and the greatest Manueline style icon. .It was built in limestone (material brought from various locations in the surrounding area), in the former Santa Maria de Belém church site.
Similar to what happened to many other monuments, the Jerónimos Monastery was, over the centuries, the target of several works and extensions, having been one of the buildings that best endured the 1755 earthquake, that destroyed Lisbon. It still preserves most of the conventual structures that have contributed to its worldwide reputation, including the 16th-century cloister, the former Friar Refectory and the Library.
The Jerónimos Monastery was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983 and is officially a national pantheon, housing tombs of some distinguished Portuguese, such as explorer Vasco da Gama and poet Luiz Vaz de Camões.
