Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon

The Jeronimos Monastery , which is made entirely out of limestone was built to thank God for the safe return of all those Portuguese explorers who had ventured out on dangerous exploits. You can admire the hand-sculptured walls which are covered with assorted exotic images. Images of tropical plants, wild animals, and African and Asian tribes line the exterior of the monastery. Inside you will find three tombs: the tomb of Vasco da Gama, the great Portuguese explorer who discovered the maritime route to India, the next belongs to Dom Manuel, the king who was in power at the time of da Gamas journeys, and finally the tomb of Luis de Camões, the poet who accompanied da Gama on his many travels.