Lisbon - Ermida de Sao Jerónimo

By climbing up a grassed area on the Rua de Alcolena we reach the Ermida de Sao Jerónimo, which was built in 1514 according to the plans of the famous Manueline architect Diogo de Boytaca. The chapel, which looks almost like a monolith, stands out from the other remaining constructions of this epoch through its simple harmonious proportions and, above all, its restrained Manueline upper ornamentation.

The building, in an exposed location, represents in principle simply a rectangular cube, whose heaviness is only tempered by the sparse decoration on the four corners and on the upper edge. The true features of Manueline design appear particularly clearly in its simplicity. The corner pillars adorned with Gothic gargoyles jut out beyond the building and taper into finely pointed turrets. The upper edges resemble nautical cabling. A slender cross rises above the Manueline portal.

The impressive little chapel is generally closed; however it is worthwhile climbing up to it because of the unusual view of the Torre de Belém and the Atlantic, which appears very close from here.