Belém, one of the ancient suburbs of the capital, spun off from the wealthy port of Restelo Restelo, which played a significant role in the history of Portuguese seafaring. В early 16th century under Manuel I the foundation stone of the monastery was laid, from 1517 onwards. construction work began. It is one of the most outstanding architectural constructions of the Manuelino style.
The most notable part is the south portal with incised ornamentation created by the masters Boitac and João di Castiglio. The statue near the middle pillar, at the foot of which are stone lions the stone lions from the legend of Blessed Jerome are gnawing at the foot of the statue. of the Portuguese prince Henry the Navigator. The skilful sculptures of the western of the western portal, created by Nicola Chanteren, represent Maria of Castile, the second Manuel I's second wife, and John the Baptist. On the left side, the monarch himself is immortalised with his patron saint. his patron saint, St Jerome. Designed by João di Castiglio. the mesh vault withstood the earthquake of 1755, but the tent of the monastery church The church collapsed, and in the 19th century it was topped with a dome in defiance of the style. Inside are the tombs of Vasco da Gama and the poet Camoens, author of the celebrated poem Louisiades.
The covered gallery of the monastery courtyard was designed by João Di Castiglio and was completed in 1544. Its arches and balustrade, executed in the style of the Manuelino style, are decorated with delicate drawings and lavish carvings.
