Miraculously, most of the monastery was spared from this destruction, making it one of the oldest buildings in Lisbon!
Jerónimos monastery has symbolic connections to the sea and maritime (ocean) exploration. This is exemplified by the many tile artworks, sculptures, and carvings in the building. Vasco da Gama, one of the most famous Portuguese explorers, is buried here. In fact, the monastery became the necropolis (mass cemetery) for that Portuguese family in the 16th century. It is also the resting place for King Manuel I and his wife Maria of Aragon, King João III and his wife Catherine of Austria, the famous Portuguese writer Luís Camões (considered the Shakespeare of Portugal) and the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa, who is my personal favorite.
Even though this beautiful building also functions as a celebrity cemetery, try as I might, I could not find a single ghost story about the monastery. I will try to find one for you next time!
