Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Belém
Situated in the parish of Belém, in the municipality and district of Lisbon, the Chapel of Saint Jerome (Capela de São Jerónimo) is located in the historic area of Restelo. This site is surrounded by a garden carefully designed by landscape architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, which offers a serene environment conducive to contemplation.
From its position, one can enjoy wide views over the Belém waterfront, providing a remarkable scenic setting and a calm atmosphere within the city.
This chapel, also known as the Hermitage of Saint Jerome or of Restelo (Ermida de São Jerónimo ou do Restelo), was built in the early 16th century, more precisely in 1514. Its construction is closely linked to the lands where the great religious projects of the era in Belém were developed, in the context of Portuguese maritime expansion.
The design is generally attributed to Diogo de Boitaca, one of the great masters of architecture in Portugal during that period. Throughout its history, the hermitage had various uses, serving, for example, as a storage space after the friars abandoned the site.
Its historical and heritage importance was officially recognized in 1943, when it was classified as a National Monument. More recently, between 1976 and 1978, the chapel was temporarily loaned for use by the Russian Orthodox Church before being returned to the Patriarchate of Lisbon. Currently, it is a sought-after venue for ceremonies such as baptisms and weddings.
The Chapel of Saint Jerome is a remarkable example of Manueline architecture, a genuinely Portuguese style that flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its design reveals a remarkable simplicity and balance, characteristics that distinguish it through the harmony of its forms and the elegance of its decorative elements.
The chapel has a square floor plan, a geometric shape that gives solidity to its structure. The decoration, although sober, is detailed. Its upper finish is marked by a rope-like moulding that is interrupted by four pinnacles, distinctive elements of the Manueline style, which contribute to the building's graceful silhouette.
The hermitage's portal is another point of interest, displaying the symbol of King Manuel I, the armillary sphere, which reinforces its connection to the golden age of the Portuguese Discoveries. The combination of these elements gives the chapel a unique architectural identity of great historical and artistic value.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_de_São_Jerónimo
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.70132531650094,-9.21374096003587
Coordinates DMS: 38°42'4.8"N 09°12'49.5"W
Weather Belém
On-duty Pharmacy Belém
