Saint Jerome Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Belém

Location

The Chapel of Saint Jerome is located in Belém, in the municipality of Lisbon, in an area with unobstructed views. Surrounded by a well-tended garden, designed by landscape architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, the chapel offers expansive perspectives over the Belém area and the Cascais coastline.

Its elevated position, on what was the highest point of the former enclosure of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Belém, lends it a serene atmosphere, slightly removed from the hustle and bustle, inviting contemplation and enjoyment of the landscapes.

Origin and Historical Purpose

Erected at the beginning of the 16th century, around 1514, the Chapel of Saint Jerome was designed to serve as a space for retreat and meditation for the Hieronymite monks who resided in the Monastery of Santa Maria de Belém. The authorship of the project is often attributed to master Diogo de Boitaca, a central figure of Manueline architecture, with its completion overseen by Rodrigo Afonso around 1517.

Due to its strategic location, at the highest point of the monastic enclosure and with an exterior terrace roof, it is suggested that the chapel played a role in monitoring the entrance to the Tagus estuary, complementing other defensive structures of the time.

Expression of Manueline Art

The Chapel of Saint Jerome, though modest in size, is a remarkable example of the Manueline style. Its quadrangular plan reveals a balance of volumes, with distinctive decorative elements of the era prominently featured on the exterior.

The upper finish is marked by a sculpted rope motif and four twisted pinnacles, complemented by gargoyles with zoomorphic figures. The exterior quoins are reinforced by robust buttresses, which take the form of "giants" supporting the structure. The main portal, facing west, features simple but symbolic ornamentation, with the royal shield surmounted by the crown and flanked by armillary spheres, emblems of the reign of D. Manuel I.

Inside, the single nave is covered by an impressive poly-ribbed vault, with ribs interlacing to form a star, decorated with vegetal and heraldic bosses. The triumphal arch leading to the chancel is poly-lobed, adorned with rosettes and plant motifs, and the main altar, though contemporary, incorporates tiles that harken back to 16th-century Hispano-Arabic patterns.

A Reused and Preserved Chapel

Throughout its history, the Chapel of Saint Jerome has undergone various transformations. After the extinction of religious orders in the 19th century, there were periods when it was used for non-religious purposes, including storage.

Classified as a National Monument since 1943, the chapel has been the subject of continuous restoration and preservation efforts, ensuring that its architectural beauty and historical details are maintained for future generations. Currently, the chapel continues to serve its religious function, being a sought-after location for baptisms and weddings, thereby granting it a vibrant cultural and spiritual continuity.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt