Famous monuments of Portugal.
Portugal´s rich and historical past can be seen through the diverse monuments, positioned across the country.
Here are our top ones to visit...
jeronimos monastery, belem, lisbon
One of our favourite monuments in Portugal, Jeronimos Monastery (or Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Portuguese) stands proud alongside the manicured gardens in Lisbon´s Belem. A 16th century work of architecture, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a notable Portuguese monument. Built in 1501 by King Manuel I, the monastery was populated by monks for the Order of Saint Jerome. The monks duty was to give spiritual aid to the sailors setting off to sea from Belem, during Portugal’s Age of Discovery. A symbol of both impressive power and wealth, the gothic architecture is full of elaborate sculptural details and maritime motifs. For opening hours and tickets please see the official website – Famous monuments of Portugal
Pena palace, sintra
This colourful and unique palace is one of the most famous monuments of Portugal. Resembling a fairytale castle, Palácio da Pena, as its known in Portugal, is a fantastic example of 19th century Romantic revivalism with a mixture of Gothic, Manueline, Moorish and Renaissance styles. Positioned at the top of Monte da Pena in Sintra it was built as a summer palace for the royal family of the time, Dom Fernando of Saxe Coburg-Gotha. He turned the surrounding woodland into a stunning English-style park with a wide variety of exotic plant species – Famous monuments of Portugal
Alcobaça monastery, alcobaça
Portugal monuments don’t get much bigger than the Alcobaça Monastery. A gothic, impressive and spellbinding monastery, this Roman Catholic complex was founded in the 12th century by King Alfonso. The monastery was one of Europe’s most important monasteries during the monastic age and a centre of religious study and worship for around 1,000 monks. Cistercian architecture at its finest and one of the best examples in the whole of Europe. Make sure to visit the tombs of D. Pedro and D-Inês in the central nave. They are positioned close to each other, so they can meet again on the day of the Resurrection – Famous monuments of Portugal
convent of christ, Tomar
Convent of Christ is one our favourite monuments in Portugal. The imposing Order of Christ and the awesome and vast complex of Convent of Christ were the headquarters of the Knights Templar until 1314 and of the Order of Christ from 1357 onwards. Nowadays, the building itself can be considered a museum of the different architectural styles of Portuguese history: Romanic, Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance. The complex is a group of monuments including the castle, hermitage, and an aqueduct – Famous monuments of Portugal.
belem tower, belem, lisbon
The Belem Tower (Torre de Belém) is one of the most popular and iconic monuments in Lisbon. Built to defend Lisbon between 1514 – 1520 by Portuguese sculptor and architect, Francisco de Arruda, it was later used as a lighthouse and a customs centre. The tower includes pits and holes where prisoners were thrown, a chapel, three halls and a roof terrace. Positioned on the banks of the River Tagus, the tower looks as though it is made of jewels, with typical Manueline architecture and decorative facades – Famous monuments of Portugal.
CHAPEL OF BONES, EVORA
Probably the most intriguing and unique of all Portugal monuments is Evora´s Chapel of Bones. Part of the Igreja de Sao Francisco church complex, this intriguing chapels walls are covered in bones and human skulls – a passage to Heaven or Hell – built by a Franciscan monk in the 16th century. A macabre and eerie tourist attraction the chapel is resting place to hundreds of bodies, all exhumed from the city´s graveyards in the 16th century. Look out for the chilling inscription at the main entrance which reads, `We, the bones that are here await yours.´ Famous monuments of Portugal.
classic portugal
Classic Portugal is a luxury tours and bespoke tours agency. As travel designers we thrive on curating private tours and custom travel across Portugal. We design intimate experiences to make your trip to Portugal especially memorable. Uncover a unique journey though Portugal and its wonders: gastronomy, art, culture, wellness and more all await you. From prestigious wineries to chic beach clubs; from sleepy, hidden villages to dazzling city nights; from luxurious spas to Michelin star restaurants, your bespoke tour will include all the best Portugal has to offer.
Portugal is a European gem, with distinct locations and beautiful scenery. We seek out Portugal´s best, curating tours for our clients which they will carry in their hearts forever. Our specialities include luxury wine tours, luxury bespoke tours, luxury travel in Portugal, private travel and tours, luxury mini-breaks, luxury stays and luxury holidays. We partner with some of the most acclaimed luxury hotels, wineries and restaurants in Portugal. All of our bespoke travel itineraries are private and personal. We publish your itinerary in our travel app, giving you constant visibility and access to your luxury trip. Our professional chauffeurs and certified tour guides guarantee you are taken good care of and have the most wonderful experience of this beautiful, warm and charming country.
Our vision as a company is to offer world-class client services, with meticulously designed travel itineraries and the most luxurious experiences. We will take care of all your needs and desires in Portugal. Our concierge service is available on all luxury bespoke tours. From private cars, to fine dining to tickets for concerts and sports events, we take care of it all. Our values are important to us. We are inclusive and culturally aware. We believe in social change and equality for all. Inclusion and diversity ignites our creativity, bringing us closer to our clients and our communities. We are experienced in working with global clients, always working in a transparent and communicative way, seeking out new ways of engagement and innovation. Our mission to be the leading lifestyle experts and travel specialists for luxury journeys across Portugal. Please see our full tour programme. If you liked this post you may also like Gift Guide for Portugal Travellers and 10 Interesting Facts About Portugal!
