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



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