In the neighborhood of Belém, overlooking the Tagus River near the Belém Tower, the Monastery of Jerónimos, built from 1501 to 1580 by order of King Manuel I, is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

Made of golden limestone, the complex blends Gothic and Renaissance elements with nautical symbols from the Age of Discoveries: ropes, armillary spheres, royal shields, and marine figures adorn portals and facades.

Inside stands the Church of Santa Maria, with Latin cross naves supported by six columns, a vaulted ceiling, and the monumental tombs of Vasco da Gama and the national poet Luís de Camões, as well as the last sovereigns of the Aviz dynasty.

The heart of the building is the marvelous two-story cloister (55 × 55 m), designed by Diogo de Boitaca and João de Castilho: a triumph of sculpted decorations, with symbolic motifs, mullioned windows, and elegant panoramic terraces.