The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the largest landmarks in Portugal. Across from the Belem Tower, this beautiful monument is at the heart of Lisbon’s historic district. Like its neighbour, it too is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site (1) .
The famous Portuguese sailor, Vasco de Gama, is buried in an ornate tomb, found inside of the Jerónimos church. Vasco de Gama visited the monastery before setting sail to India, and many Portuguese believe that this led him to good fortunes and helped him return home safely.
When visiting Vasco de Gama’s tombstone inside the church, you can notice right away that another tomb lays right across — belonging to the famous poet, Luis de Camões. Alongside them, many kings and prominent Portuguese figures have also been laid to rest, as it was one of the most religious buildings in Lisbon.
The church itself is beautiful, detailed with figures and gargoyles that many tourists stop in awe of. Everyone traveling to Portugal should see this historical monument!
Although the monastery was used mainly by monks, as time went on the church transformed into a school for many children, and a home for many orphans (1).
– Leana Rendeiro
Works Cited
1- “Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos – Lonely Planet.” Lonely Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Aug. 2016.
