Lisbon (Belem and Jerónimos Monastery)
We also spent a day in the Belem district.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
This area has several main attractions, the grandest of which is undoubtedly the Jerónimos Monastery. When we arrived in the morning, the sky was still gray, so we truned our attention to its intricate facade.
Facade of Jerónimos Monastery
Facade of Jerónimos Monastery
Facade of Jerónimos Monastery
Inside, the decorations are just as intricate, if not as grand.
Jerónimos Monastery Ceiling
The courtyard inside is geometrically symmetric with fascinating patterns.
Jerónimos Monastery Courtyard
Jerónimos Monastery Courtyard
The cavernous main chapel is also no less breathtaking than the outside, the best view is from the upper choir (I used an wide-angle lens to take the first picture and an ultrawide lens to take the second one, notice the difference in perspective).
Jerónimos Monastery Main Chapel
Jerónimos Monastery Main Chapel
Another very interesting place is the Refectory (for a list of different places inside the monastery, see this guide; again, I used an wide-angle lens to take the first picture and an ultrawide lens to take the second one, notice the difference in perspective).
Jerónimos Monastery Main Refectory
Jerónimos Monastery Main Refectory
The tiled pictures (murals?) on azulejo tiles inside the refectory are very fascinating too, as are the paintings hanging on the wall.
Pictures on azulejo tiles in Jerónimos Monastery Refectory
Pictures on azulejo tiles in Jerónimos Monastery Refectory
Pictures on azulejo tiles in Jerónimos Monastery Refectory
Painting in Jerónimos Monastery Refectory
Of course, one of the attractions in the Belem area is the Belem Tower itself, which we paid a visit in the afternoon.
Belem Tower
Yet another attraction is the Monument of the Discoveries. Not shown here, is Belem's true "attraction", Pasteis de Belem (see my TripAdvisor review here), which is purportedly where the famous Portugese treat Pastel de Nata originated. I have no picture of this place though, as I was too busy eating their products; however, you can see a picture of Pastel de Nada on this page.
Discoveries Monument
We wandered back to the monastery in the afternoon, when the weather improved somewhat.
Jerónimos Monastery
Jerónimos Monastery
Jerónimos Monastery
Jerónimos Monastery
The many intricate sculptures and reliefs at the Monastery also deserve a closer look.
Jerónimos Monastery Main Relief
Jerónimos Monastery Main Relief
Jerónimos Monastery Main Relief
Finally, another "picture" of the Belem Tower. This one was actually taken at the Fabrica da Nata (see my TripAdvisor review here), another fine pastry shop, but in Baixa.
Belem Mural