Jerónimos Monastery — Attraction in Lisbon

This review won’t stop people from going but it should. I just want to warn of the experience this tourist had at this trap and what a horrible opportunistic cash cow this “UNISCO “ site has become. Here we go! You better arrive early so you can wait in a snails pace of a line for 2hrs, without sitting down, a water fountain or a water closet anywhere within eyesight. By the way, It doesn’t mater if you have a time slot you will still wait at the end of the line.

What you do get for your ticket price is a sunburn, a constant bombardment to buy a bracelet or trinket and the joy of watching tour group after tour group pass you by as they are expedited in to the building. Another By The Way, Your ticket doesn’t guarantee the church or the monastery. The church was closed to us and we couldn’t see any way into the monastery. It’s just the courtyard.

We waited in line on a Sunday from 9:05-11 am when we finally arrived at the gate we got harassed about our empty paper coffee cup. My husband had to get out of line to toss the cup in a trash can across the street. (I crumpled my cup up and stuffed it in my backpack) while we dealt with this guard a slew of people walked in front of us. :(

20 min later we finally went thru the ticket station; here you will find NO “welcome”, NO “sorry for the wait”, NO map and absolutely NO smile or signs to help you enjoy your visit to this architectural português cash cow. Just a machine to scan your ticket.

So we stroll on in after waiting for 2+ hrs and I would love to just sit down and relish in the magnificent architecture and be able to really think about what this structure means and meant to the people at this time in history.

Unfortunately my desire to have a thought provoking moment was not to be. In infinite wisdom the powers That Be had covered every single bench and every possible seat with signs saying “NO SITTING”. Ok fine, so I sat on the ground against a wall just to relax for a little bit and prepare myself to be enchanted.

Less than one minute later I was literally told to get up as an usher stood over me waiting and watching until I was on my way.

Sitting is not allowed in this holy place even though the entire square is filled with benches. I guess it’s disrespectful for tourists to sit in the eyes of our lord.

Let me finish by saying we were out of there within 20 minutes as the energy of the monastery made me distressed. I felt like this was the worst tourist scene in all of Portugal and the team moto was “Make the experience miserable for all those pass through these doors.”

I know it’s frustrating to have tourists day in and day out so here are my suggestions to help:

Have multiple signs that explain that “All ticket holders get in line. Regardless of booking time” In multiple languages.

Remove that stupid green hedge along the sidewalk and put in one long bench.

Provide intermittent sunshade. It gets hot standing in the sidewalk for 2 hrs

Allow those that want to sit in the courtyard to sit on the benches. Don’t allow food. Ask people to be silent. This will prevent socializing and keep a sense of respectful calm

Finally have some empathy for the people who come to your door. We are here to support and admire and perhaps learn something about the place...

The Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in Lisbon is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and one of the most significant and visited landmarks in Portugal. Located in the Belem district, the monastery was built in the early 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India and to honor St. Jerome, whose shrine the monastery houses.

Architecture and Design The monastery is a stunning example of Manueline style, characterized by elaborate and intricate details that combine Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish influences. Its façade is adorned with maritime motifs, armillary spheres, and ornate windows, all symbolizing Portugal’s golden age of exploration. Inside, the church boasts a soaring vaulted ceiling and a beautiful altar, while the cloisters offer a tranquil and atmospheric space, featuring delicate arches and peaceful gardens.

Historical Significance The Jerónimos Monastery is deeply intertwined with Portugal’s history. It was founded by King Manuel I in 1501, and it served as a place for monks to pray for the king’s soul and provide spiritual support for the voyages of the explorers. Vasco da Gama himself is buried here, alongside other notable figures in Portuguese history, adding to the monastery's prestige and cultural importance.

In 1983, the monastery was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its cultural and historical significance, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting Lisbon.

Visitor Experience The monastery is a peaceful place to explore, with its ornate interiors, impressive chapels, and serene cloisters providing a sense of the grandiosity and spirituality of the period. Visitors can take a self-guided tour to appreciate the architectural details and the history behind the building. The monastery also houses a small museum that offers insights into its history and role in the Age of Exploration.

Location and Accessibility The Jerónimos Monastery is easily accessible by tram or bus from central Lisbon, and it’s located near other prominent attractions, such as the Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, making it an ideal stop on a day tour of the Belem district.

A visit to the Jerónimos Monastery is an essential part of experiencing Lisbon’s rich history and cultural heritage. Its impressive architecture, historical significance, and tranquil atmosphere make it one of the city’s top attractions, providing a deeper understanding of Portugal’s maritime past and the golden age of...

DON'T GO ! TOURIST TRAP !

If you are going to Seville or Barcelona beforez you'll be better off visiting these cities Cathedrals!

Those who put 5 stars probably were in a guided tour since they completely skip the lines like they're the kings and queens of the world (even though I'm sure their tickets were probably cheaper than ours and they're scheduled more than one hour after us).

Even if you bought tickets months before and have an entry time, you'll wait 1:30+ hour in line for a visit that lasts 30mins max.

They don't provide any audioguide or written information about the place for general entries. You only get to visit the cloister (basically a square around a patch of grass with a fountain in the middle) and the refectory (an empty room). You don't get to see Vasco de Gama tomb like they say online (it is in the church and you'll have to go through another lineup for that). If you want to visit the church you'll have to go back in line and wait again.

Meanwhile all the group buses and group tours get luxury treatment. It is very unfair since we paid our tickets just like they did and we arrived 1 hour and a half earlier than them !!

It is a religious/sacred place and yet, the management is treating individual tickets buyer like they're crap and prioritize groups over everything. Unfairness at its best !

We reserved for 9:30am (opening hour) and arrived five minutes in advance. Yet, it took over 1:30 hour of wait, standing up in line (they don't even have benches) before getting in.

Note that we visited on weekday and off season, so I don't want to imagine what it looks like during the peak season. Furthermore, while waiting, we tried to ask security if we needed our passports or ID cards (we forgot them at the hotel) but she didn't even speak English nor French nor Spanish (my Portuguese isn't really functional). Fortunately we didn't need them.

Joined to this comment, a photo of the waiting line that was probably 2:30 hours long at this point. Meanwhile group tours that arrived minutes ago went in front of all of these people..

Also joined two pictures of the only places you're allowed to walk in : the square cloister and the refectory (I took the refectory picture online since I didn't bother taking a picture of the empty room.. after seeing better in Sevilla and...