Honors Portuguese Navigators
Set just off the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon, Portugal takes visitors back to the 8th century yet is surprisingly contemporary in many ways. Located on a string of hills, the city is filled with wide boulevards, black and white mosaic tiled sidewalks, and Art Nouveau houses faced with beautiful tiles, and old doorways. Much of the city was destroyed in 1755 by an earthquake and tidal wave, however, the old Moorish quarter of town survived because of its bedrock foundation.
Lisbon is not only a historically significant city to visit, but has many places to shop, dine, and sightsee. The street lined in paved stones, plenty of wrought iron ornate rails, and sidewalks to stroll, there is a thriving artists/music culture in many parts, where an active nightclub scene sets the city apart from earlier times. Lisbon is a breathtaking city, although some spots need restoration. Its origins as a seaport are still very evident.
(Front) Church of Santa Maria in the
Belem district of Lisbon.
Jeronimos Monastery
One of the most fabulous sites to visit in Lisbon is the Jeronimos Monastery, a 16th century architectural masterpiece designed in the Gothic-Manueline style, a style of art that served to glorify the great discoveries of the age. The Jeronimos Monastery is an impressive symbol of Portugal's wealth and power, built to commemorate the discoveries of Portuguese navigators. King Manuel I built it in 1502 on the site of a hermitage founded by Prince Henry the Navigator. It is where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in prayer before leaving for India. The Monastery commemorates Vasco da Gama's voyage and to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for its success.
The monastery was populated by monks of the Order of Saint Jerome (Hieronymites), whose spiritual job was to give guidance to sailors and pray for the King's soul. It is one of the great triumphs of European Gothic with much of the design characterized by elaborate sculptural details and maritime motifs.
The interior of Jeronimos Monastery's church is truly remarkable. The cloisters are magnificent, each column differently carved with coils of rope, sea monsters, coral, and other sea motifs evocative of that time of world exploration at sea.
Maritime Museum
Lisbon is also host of the Maritime Museum, housing miniature boats, larger reproductions, original maps and nautical instruments dating from the Middle Ages. The Maritime Museum is one of the most important in Europe, evoking Portugal's domination of the seas.
Its colossal 17,000 items are installed in the west wing of Jeronimos Monastery, and include model ships from the Age of Discovery onward. The oldest exhibit is a wooden figure representing the Archangel Raphael that accompanied Vasco da Gama on his voyage to India.
Belem Tower
Belem Tower
Just as striking at the Monastery is Belem Tower, where Portuguese explorers were given a rousing send–off. Built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor, Belem Tower was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery, and for the sailors it was the last sight of their homeland.
Built in the Manueline style, Belem Tower incorporates many stonework motifs of the Discoveries, sculptures depicting historical figures such as St. Vincent and an exotic rhinoceros that inspired Dürer's drawing of the beast. The architect, Francisco de Arruda, had previously worked on Portuguese fortifications in Morocco, so there are also Moorish-style watchtowers and other Moorish influences. Facing the river are arcaded windows, delicate Venetianstyle loggias, and a statue of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming, a symbol of protection for sailors on their voyages.
The world's explorers in stone - the Monument of the Discoveries
Monument of the Discoveries
Across from Jeronimos Monastery is the Discoveries Monument, built on the north bank of the Tagus River in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator.
It represents a three-sailed ship ready to depart, with sculptures of important historical figures such as King Manuel I carrying an armillary sphere, poet Camões holding verses from The Lusiads, Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Cabral, and several other notable Portuguese explorers, crusaders, monks, cartographers, and cosmographers, following Prince Henry the Navigator at the prow holding a small vessel. The only female is queen Felipa of Lancaster, mother of Henry the navigator, the leader of the discoveries.
Inside is an exhibition space with temporary exhibits, an interesting film about the city of Lisbon, and an elevator that takes visitors to the top for some bird's-eye views of Belem and its monuments. The pavement in front of the monument is decorated with a mosaic that was offered by the South African government in 1960, representing a compass with the map of the world charting the routes taken by the Portuguese explorers.
Transportation
Lisbon's variety of transportation contributes to its unique charm. Old trams and turn-of-the-century elevators explore the oldest quarters, and the modern subway lines are decorated with contemporary art. Central Lisbon is compact enough to explore on foot, and most sights in Baixa, Bairro Alto, and Alfama are within walking distance. Translate kilometers into miles with the IFP Metric Units Conversion Tables. Taxis are readily available, and commuter trains serve nearby resort towns. City Belem: Phone 21/362-00-34, www.mosteirojeronimos.pt .