- Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos
A monastery built on order of Manuel I for the hiéronymites monks, it is in front of the large beach from which left the caravels to discover the New World. The construction began in 1502 on the spot where the church built for Henry the Navigator stood, after Vasco da Gama's return from India, and lasted 50 years. Several artists left their mark in this building considered as an architectural masterpiece of Manuelin style art. The side gate was designed by Boytac and Castilho and the main gate is Chanterene's work and dates back to the Renaissance. The church is very impressive with its splendid chapel that resisted the 1755 earthquake and is supported by very elegant pillars. In the heart of this traditional church one finds the Royal Pantheon as well as a gate, vault silver and paintings. In the wings of the transept there are also other tombs, these are all made out of marble and held up by Indian elephants. Under the "coro viola" gallery, at the entrance of the church you will find the tombs of Vasco da Gama and the poet Camões. The monastery's cloister is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world with its two floors and its rich decoration.
On December 13, 2007 the treaty of Lisbon was signed at the monastery.
- Torre de Belém
Built between 1515 and 1521 in the middle of the river to protect the entrance. Today the river is almost dry because of the tides and work that was done on the port of Lisbon. It was built by a specialist in military constructions and is a very good example of the "Manuelin" style and an ex-libris of Lisbon.
- Padrão dos Descobrimentos
52 m high, this monument was built in 1960 for the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator's death. It is in the shape of a ship's prow on which all those who played a significant role in the Discoveries are represented. The main statue represents Henry the Navigator, considered the father of Portuguese Discoveries. There is a lift that takes you to the top, from which you have a beautiful view of the Empire Place, the Tagus and the Monastery dos "Jerónimos".
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Jerónimos Cloister |
Discovery Monument |
- Museu Nacional dos Coches
This museum was inaugurated in 1905 by the last queen of Portugal, Amelie of Orléans. Its collection includes a very great number of cars from the end of the 16th century to the first quarter of the 19th century. This collection is regarded as most significant in Europe not only because of the quality of the cars but also their great condition. Some are really sumptuous.
- Museu da Marinha
This museum's collection is vast and tells us the marine history of Portugal. You will find several models of boats from various times and several areas of Portugal, you will also find the hydroplane Santa Cruz, which Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral used to make the first crossing of the South Atlantic in 1922. Beside it there is the Gulbenkian Planetarium, a shop, and a café.
- Museu do Design
Situated in one of the wings of the Arts centre. Its permanent collection includes masterpieces, such as furniture and objects designed by several artists that are representative of the various changes in world design from 1937 to now.
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