Prayer to the Sea at the Jerónimos Monastery

Walking along the sea breeze of Belém, a magnificent white structure comes into view. This is the Jerónimos Monastery, a serene place where the memories of Portugal's glorious era of maritime exploration linger. The monastery was built in the early 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. It was constructed on the site where he prayed the night before his journey. Perhaps for this reason, the monastery feels like more than just a religious building—it stands as a monument to a nation's dreams and faith.