Portugal Day 3

On this day we visited Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. This is one of the best preserved monasteries I have ever had the privilege to visit. The architecture of this monastery is known as Manueline and the building was begun in the 15th century, paid for by a tax levied on spices, which is why it's also known as "The Pepper Monastery". The Monastery was in continuous use until 1834.



Outside of this massive Monastery
















Inside the cloister which was completed in 1544 and is in fantastic condition.
















































Refectory along the Cloisters


















There were many stone carvings throughout the Refectory, so detailed and in great condition.







































Confessionals - since we are not Roman Catholic we had a great discussion with the kids on the purpose of these rooms
























Inside the confessional room















The Monastery had a whole hallway full of confessionals, I counted 14. My husband joked that since Lisbon was a huge sea faring port during this period there were probably many men who needed to confess their sins upon arriving in Lisbon, hence the need for so many confessional in one location:)







Inside the Monastery from the balcony








































Up close view of the altar



















We found Vasco da Gama tomb -- my children and I have not studied him but I do plan too very soon. In 1498 Vasco Da Gama sailed around Cape Good Hope and opened the sea route to India. He is revered in Portugal as much as Lewis and Clark is in the US.
























Tomb of King Sebastiao which stands empty as his remains were never returned to Lisbon after the battle of 1578.















We spent all morning at this Monastery and I felt truly at peace in this great place. The Monastery was classified as a world Heritage site in 1983.


I am linking this post up to the Home school Field trip hop