Doorway of the Jeronimos Mnastery, Belem, Lisbon

At a derelict hermitage on this spot in 1497, Vasco da Gama and his men spent the night in prayer before sailing for the Orient.

Vasco da Gama arrived back in 1497 from India having opened up the sea route. The church thereafter became a house of prayer for seamen leaving or entering port on the Tagus.

The construction of the present monastery was begun in 1501 by King Manuel using the proceeds of the Vintena da Pimenta, a 5% tax on commerce from Africa and the Orient.

Manuel selected the Hieronymite (Order of St Jerome) monks to occupy the monastery and pray for the King's soul and to provide spiritual assistance to sailors who departed from the beach opposite.

The monastery was built in Manueline style, which incorporates maritime motifs like ropes and astrolabes.

The south portal pictured here contains a statue of Henry the Navigator between the two doors, two scenes from the life of St Jerome - the removal of the thorn from the lion's paw, and the St Jerome in the desert. Between these scenes is the coat of arms of Manuel I. The Madonna is on a pedestal in the centre.

The whole gleams white in the sun.