Chapel of São Jerónimo

Chapel of São Jerónimo – Restelo Hermitage

The Chapel of São Jerónimo, known as the Restelo Hermitage, stands at the highest point of the former precinct of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Belém. It was built in 1517 as one of three hermitages intended for the retreat and meditation of the Hieronymite monks, of which this and the Chapel of Santo Cristo survive. It is one of the few small-scale Manueline buildings in Lisbon: it has a single nave covered by a star-shaped ribbed vault, a polylobed portal with heraldic and vegetal decoration, a quatrefoil triumphal arch and oblique buttresses with zoomorphic gargoyles. The west façade is the only one in ashlar; the apse was rebuilt in Neo-Manueline style, and a date of 1886 carved on the door records the works to adapt it for public worship. In the twentieth century it was abandoned and used as a store, until it reopened for worship in 1962. It has been a National Monument since 1943 and is assigned to the Regional Directorate of Culture of Lisbon and Tagus Valley. Opening to the public is limited and no visiting hours are published in the official sources consulted; the surrounding forecourt is a viewpoint.

Located at: Património Cultural (SIPA)
Address: Rua Pero da Covilhã, Restelo, Lisboa
Opening hours: Limited opening; no visiting hours published
Coordinates: 38.701338, -9.213719
Buses: 723, 751, 79B, 714
Tram: 15E
Opened: 1517 (509 years)