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The highlight of any visit to Lisbon, this is a stunning place with the cloister being simply superb. Situated in Belém and easily reached by public transport allow a half day to visit to what is a World Heritage Site .
From Sacred Locations.
Founded in 1501, the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in Lisbon is a great monument to the Age of Discovery and a magnificent example of the Manueline style of architecture. The monastery was founded by King Manuel I in celebration of - and funded by - successful Portuguese voyages around the world.
History of Jeronimos Monastery
In 1496, King Manuel I (1495–1521) asked the pope for permission to build a great monastery in thanks to the Virgin Mary for Vasco de Gama's successful voyage to India. The request was granted and construction began on the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos on January 6, 1501. The project was funded by treasures from explorations in Africa, Asia, and South America, as well as a stiff tax on the Portuguese-controlled spice trade with Africa and the East.
The king hired French architect Diogo de Boitaca (1460-1528; master of the pioneering Igreja de Jesus in Setúbal), who was later succeeded by João de Castilho (1475-1552) of Spain, Diogo de Torralva (c.1500-1566), and Jerónimo de Ruão (1530-1601). The site Manuel chose for the new monastery was on the banks of the Tagus river, replacing a small chapel dedicated to St. Mary of Belém by Henry the Navigator.
King Manuel I named his new foundation the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Belém and invited the Order of St. Jerome (Hieronymites, or dos Jerónimos) to occupy it. The powerful Hieronymites were known for their contemplative spirituality and productive intellectual output; they also shared the king's political views.
The Hieronymites monk were expected to celebrate daily mass for the souls of Prince Henry the Navigator, King Manuel I and his successors in perpetuity, in addition to hearing confessions and providing spiritual counsel to seamen and navigators who sailed from Belém.
As for the monastery, it would be not only a thank-offering to the Virgin Mary but a lasting monument to the Age of Discovery and the mausoleum of King Manuel I and his successors. The project was completed around 1600, by which time Renaissance and Baroque elements were incorporated into the design.
The 1755 earthquake damaged the monastery but thankfully did not destroy it. Many restoration projects have been undertaken since then, some executed better than others. The Hieronymites occupied the monastery for 400 years until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1833, when the building became state property. It was used as a college for the Casa Pia of Lisbon (a children's charity) until around 1940.
What to See at Jeronimos Monastery
Jerónimos Monastery is an prime example of Manueline architecture, a style unique to Portugal that combines Flamboyant Gothic, Moorish, and early Renaissance influences. It is characterized by an elaborate use of sculptural detail and often includes maritime motifs. Other notable Manueline structures in Portugal include Batalha Monastery and the Templar Convento de Cristo in Tomar.
The main entrance to the monastic church is the south portal, designed by João de Castilho. Occupying the central pillar is a statue of Henry the Navigator. Inside, fragile-looking pillars covered with sculpture support a complex web of lierne vaulting over three aisles. Much of the artwork depicts scenes of St. Jerome, translator of the Vulgate and patron of the Hieronymite order.
The west door leads into the cloisters, where the stonework is even more impressive than the church. Designed by João de Castilho, the cloisters have two levels, the lower one having a groin vault and the most exuberant decoration. Virtually every surface of the arches and pillars are covered in elaborate Manueline sculpture.
Jerónimos Monastery contains the tombs of King Manuel and other Portuguese royalty, as well as many important figures from Portuguese history. Most famous among the latter is Vasco de Gama, whose accomplishments at sea inspired the monastery. Other notables include the romantic poet Herculano (1800-54) and the poet Fernando Pessoa.
Part of the monastic complex is the freestanding Chapel of St. Jerome, built in 1514. It is a small rectangular building with conical pinnacles at the four corners and stone "rope" along the roofline. Gargoyles look out from the corners. From the west doorway, there is a fine view all the way out to sea.
Haghartsin monastery, Armenia. Built in the 13th century. Renovated in 2011, supported by the Sultan of Sharja.
Details of the Gomari Monastery
Rebkong is located in the Golden Valley of the Rongwu Guchu River in Malho prefecture southeast of Qinghai province, The valley is at about 2600m above sea-level, extends from the north to south, and is surrounded by several mountains. Rebkong is also famous for itâs Tibetan traditional arts and cultural preservation. The there are several large monasteries and villages scattering around the Rongwu town which is home to hundreds of artist. The most well known villages and monasteries are Sanggeshung Yago and Sanggeshung Mago(upper and lower Wutun), Gomar Gompa, Nyamtok village.etc. If you are interested in learning Tibetan culture and Tibetan traditional arts, Rebkong will be one of most recommend region.
The monastery of Geghard (Armenian: Գեղարդ, meaning spear) is a unique architectural construction in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave.
For more information:
The Lamayuru Monastery is situated in Ladakh, about 120 kilometers from Leh, on a steep rock mountain. The monastery is made up of a number of shrines and also has a very rich collection of thankas (wall hangings) and magnificent wall paintings.
We were lucky to be able to visit this wonderful monastery, full of color. Although many tourists visit this monastery because of its beauty, this photo is very rare, because this prayer room is usually kept locked.
Germany 2017 - Maulbronn Monastery (German: Kloster Maulbronn) is a former Roman Catholic Cistercian Abbey and Protestant seminary located at Maulbronn in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.[2] The 850 year old, mostly Romanesque monastery complex, one of the best preserved examples of its kind in Europe,[3] is one of the very first buildings in Germany to use the Gothic style.[4] In 1993, the abbey was declared a UNESCO World Heritage The complex, surrounded by turreted walls and a tower gate, today houses the Maulbronn
Under the auspices of the abbot Bernard of Clairvaux, the Cistercians began major expansion into southern Germany. A knight named Walter von Lomersheim became very enthused in the spread of this order of monks and donated a stretch of land between to the Cistercian order. So it was that, in 1147, the monastery was founded by 12 monks who traveled from Alsace.[2] The main church, built in a style transitional from Romanesque to Gothic, was consecrated in 1178 by Arnold, Bishop of Speyer. A number of other buildings — infirmary, refectory, cellar, auditorium, porch, south cloister, hall, another refectory, forge, inn, cooperage, mill, and chapel — followed in the course of the 13th century. The west, east and north cloisters date back to the 14th century, as do most fortifications and the fountain house or lavatorium.
After the Reformation began in the year 1517, Ulrich, Duke of Württemberg, seized the monastery in 1504,[dubious – discuss] later building his hunting lodge and stables there. The monastery was pillaged repeatedly: first by the knights under Franz von Sickingen in 1519, then again during the German Peasants' War six years later. In 1534, Duke Ulrich secularised the monastery, but the Cistercians regained control — and Imperial recognition — under Charles V's Augsburg Interim. In 1556, Christoph, Duke of Württemberg, built a Protestant seminary, with Valentin Vannius becoming the first abbot two years later, odd, because the Reformation banned religious orders and abbots; Johannes Kepler studied there 1586–89.
In 1630, the abbey was returned to the Cistercians by force of arms, with Christoph Schaller von Sennheim becoming abbot. This restoration was short-lived, however, as Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden forced the monks to leave again two years later, with a Protestant abbot returning in 1633; the seminary reopened the following year, however the Cistercians under Schaller also returned in 1634. Under the Peace of Westphalia, in 1648, the confession of the monastery was settled in favour of Protestantism; with abbot Buchinger withdrawing in process. A Protestant abbacy was re-established in 1651, with the seminary reopening five years later. In 1692, the seminarians were removed to safety when Ezéchiel du Mas, Comte de Mélac, torched the school, which remained closed for a decade.
The monastery was secularised by Frederick I, King of Württemberg, in the course of the German Mediatisation in 1807, forever removing its political quasi-independence; the seminary merged with that of Bebenhausen the following year, now known as the Evangelical Seminaries of Maulbronn and Blaubeuren.
The monastery, which features prominently in Hermann Hesse's novel Beneath the Wheel, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993. The justification for the inscription was as follows: "The Maulbronn complex is the most complete survival of a Cistercian monastic establishment in Europe, in particular because of the survival of its extensive water-management system of reservoirs and channels". Hesse himself attended the seminary before fleeing in 1891 after a suicide attempt, and a failed attempt to save Hesse from his personal religious crisis by a well-known theologian and faith healer.[6]
To represent Baden-Württemberg, an image of the Abbey appears on the obverse of the German 2013 €2 commemorative coin.
we visited a monastery that doubled as an animal refuge. people from the surrounding areas would bring the monks sick, injured or orphaned animals and the monks would take care of them. they had tigers that were kept in enclosures and the rest of the animals for the most part roamed freely. when we visited, the monks took the tigers on a walk... they were very tame, and i was able to get pretty close photographing them, and even pet one. then the monk motioned for me to hold the tiger's chain and walk it. monks can't touch or hand things to women, so he put the chain on the ground for me to pick it up. as i held the chain, i realized that if the tiger wanted to, he could just run where he pleased, i was no match for his strength. it was just then that this deer wandered up.....
at that point i'm trying to hand the chain back to the monk because the tiger is REALLY interested in this deer, but the monk won't take it from me. the tiger gets even more interested in the deer. the monk is telling me to put the chain on the ground and i'm thinking "are you crazy?".... so finally i put the chain on the ground, step on it further up so the monk can grab the end.... disaster averted.
Details of the Gomari Monastery
Rebkong is located in the Golden Valley of the Rongwu Guchu River in Malho prefecture southeast of Qinghai province, The valley is at about 2600m above sea-level, extends from the north to south, and is surrounded by several mountains. Rebkong is also famous for itâs Tibetan traditional arts and cultural preservation. The there are several large monasteries and villages scattering around the Rongwu town which is home to hundreds of artist. The most well known villages and monasteries are Sanggeshung Yago and Sanggeshung Mago(upper and lower Wutun), Gomar Gompa, Nyamtok village.etc. If you are interested in learning Tibetan culture and Tibetan traditional arts, Rebkong will be one of most recommend region.
Arankele Monastery’s sylvan environment and ruins of bathing ponds gives the impression it was once a pleasure park. Arankele, on the contrary, was a 6th century cave hermitage up a forested hillside. The densely wooded terrain crowded with huge hardwood trees are interspersed by the openings and clearings created by the on-going process of clearing scattered debris to unearth the ruins and re erecting the fallen ruins.
The Sinaia Monastery, located in Sinaia, in Prahova County, Romania, was founded by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino in 1695 and named after the great Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai in Egypt.
As of 2005, it is inhabited by 13 Christian Orthodox monks led by hegumen Macarie Boguș.
It is part of the Bucharest archdiocese.
Its architectural style is Byzantine
The monastery gave its name to the town of Sinaia.
The monastery consists of two courtyards surrounded by low buildings.
In the centre of each courtyard there is a small church built in the Byzantine style.
One of them —"Biserica Veche" (The Old Church)— dates from 1695, while the more recent "Biserica Mare" (The Great Church) was built in 1846.
The monks possess a library that is a repository for valuable jewels belonging to the Cantacuzino family, as well as the earliest Romanian translation of the Bible, dated 1668.
Prince (Spătarul) Mihail Cantacuzino founded the monastery upon his return from a pilgrimage to Mount Sinai.
The first buildings were completed between 1690 and 1695.
It was designed to serve as a monastery as well as a fortified stronghold on the route from Brasov to Bucharest.
The initial plan was for the monastery to hold 12 monks, to imitate the Twelve Apostles, but in time the number of monks grew.
In the midst of the Russo-Turkish War, 1735–1739, before deserting the monastery, monks hid the valuables by burying them inside a bell.
During a battle, the Turks defeated troops stationed within the walls of the monastery.
The Ottomans burned the area and broke through the wall in two places.
Until 1850, Sinaia consisted of little more than the monastery and a group of huts.
In 1864, however, the monastic estate was assigned to the Board of Civil Hospitals (Eforia Spitalelor Civile), which opened a hospital and several baths, and helped develop mineral springs in Sinaia.
In 1948, the monastery was put under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Bucharest from the Board of Civil Hospitals.
The Romanian Patriarch, Justinian Marina, restored the buildings between the years 1951 and 1957 with money from the Archdiocese.
During this period, the whole monastery was fitted with running water, electricity, and natural gas.
Thanks to the efforts of King Carol I, the Great Church of the monastery became the first church to use electric lights inside.
Under the leadership of Hegumens Ioasaf and Paisie, construction of The Great Church began in 1842 using funds allocated by the monastery and was completed in 1846.
This smaller structure was enlarged by the Board of Civil Hospitals during a period from 1897 to 1903.
All these efforts gave the building the appearance it has today.
Created by architect George Mandrea, the structure utilizes the Moldavian style and the Brâncovenesc style from Walachia.
It is said that the belt of three green enamel lines that encircle the building represent the unity of the Holy Trinity in one God and the unity of the Three Romanian Kingdoms in one country.
The gold mosaic paintings inside were created by Danish artist Aage Exner in a typical neo-Byzantine style.
The main illustrations show five persons:
Iosif Gheorghian mitropolit primat – he re-opened the building in 1903
Carol I of Romania – shown dressed as an officer, with his right hand upon a rock pillar with a missing piece.
This symbolizes the missing Romanian territories at that time
Elisabeth of Wied – Queen consort of Romania, known in the literary world as Carmen Sylva
Princess Maria of Romania – Queen Elisabeta's only child, who died at an early age
Mihail Cantacuzino – builder of the Old Church
The furniture was made of wood (sycamore, maple, and oak) by Constantin Babic and his students at the Bucharest Art School (Ṣcoala de Arte si Meserii).
The King's throne displays the royal emblem and the motto Nihil sine Deo (Nothing without God).
The Queen's throne is embossed with the letters E.D. Both thrones are gold-plated.
The two Russian icons, of Saint Serghei and Saint Nicholas, were a gift from Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in 1903.
They were presented to the Hegumen Nifon Arhimandritul for the baptism of Prince Nicholae, son of King Ferdinand.
A remarkable piece adorning the monastery is the epitaphios by Anna Roth, made of silk and gold on a cotton base.
It took three years (from 1897 to 1900) to finish.
During the leadership of Hegumen Nifon Popescu (1888–1909), a large bell tower was added to the monastery walls.
It was completed in 1892.
The 1,700-kilogram bell was brought from the Colţea Tower in Bucharest.
To the left of the bell tower atthe entrance lies the Museum.
In 1895 the museum of the monastery was opened, the first exhibition of religious objects in Romania.
It holds collections of icons and crosses from the 17th century, the very first Bible in Romanian (Bucharest, 1688), and many other precious objects.
The New Church dates back to 1846, but was renovated and enlarged in the following decades at the initiative of King Carol the 1st who used the monastery as a summer residence until the inauguration of the nearby Peles Castle.
Given the constant presence of its royal guests, the Great Church was adorned with the large-scale painted portraits of Queen Elisabeta and King Carol the 1st and two royal seats close to the altar.
The large proportions of the New Church and combination of typical elements of the ‘Brancovenesc’ style — the small porch with carved stone columns and ornated portal — and the Moldavian church style — high and solid walls similar to a fortress — create a one of a kind church in Southern Romania, a symbol of the cultural unity of the Romanian provinces.
Inside the Amarbayasgalant monastery, Mongolia.
Taken with Leica R3 and 35 mm Elmarit on Kodak Ektar in 2011
The old Serb Orthodox monastery of Sopoćani, the foundation of St. King Uroš I, built in the second half of the 13th century and located west of Novi Pazar, is a World Heritage Site since 1979
Cernica Monastery is located near the town of Pantelimon, in Ilfov County.
It was founded in 1608 by the nobleman Cernica Știrbei.
The monastery sits on the shore of Lake Cernica, offering a picturesque landscape and a serene atmosphere for prayer and reflection.
Cernica Monastery, established in 1608 during the reign of Radu Șerban, was founded by Cernica Știrbei, the great vornic of Michael the Brave, and his wife, Chiajna.
This monastic complex has been a significant center of monastic education.
Within the monastery grounds, three churches and three chapels have been constructed.
The main church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, suffered damage during the 1802 earthquake and was repaired between 1809 and 1815 by Archimandrite Timotei.
A major restoration was undertaken in 1925 following another earthquake in 1838 that caused the collapse of a turret, and a fire in 1923.[2]
The church dedicated to Saint George was originally built in the 18th century by Dan Brașoveanu.
It was completely rebuilt between 1962 and 1964, and further consolidated after the damages from the large Vrancea earthquake of March 1977.
In 1804, Archimandrite George constructed the small, beautiful Church of Saint Lazarus within the monastery's cemetery.
The three chapels of the monastery are "The Dormition of the Mother of God," built in 1790, "Saint John," constructed in 1842, and "The Entrance into the Church."
Between 1900 and 1904, the poet Tudor Arghezi was a monk at Cernica Monastery.
The cemetery of Cernica Monastery is the final resting place of many Romanian personalities, including painter Ion Țuculescu, Metropolitan Nifon, theologian Saint Dumitru Stăniloae, writer Gala Galaction, orientalist Athanase Negoiță, sociologist Ernest Bernea, pianist Johnny Răducanu, singer Zavaidoc, actress Stela Popescu, director Geo Saizescu, translator Stelian Gruia, academician Emilian Popescu, broadcaster Marioara Murărescu, and politician Pan Halippa.
The church is built in Neoclassical with Romanian decorative elements.
The architecture of the monastery features monumental churches with trilobed plans, lateral apses, and prominent domes.
Structures like the Church of Saint Nicholas and the Church of Saint George are built with strong masonry columns that support the vaults of the nave and narthex, highlighting a traditional ecclesiastical architectural style.
The Church of Saint Lazarus, located in the monastery's cemetery, is notable for its rich external decorations.
It exemplifies the traditional monastic architectural style that combines functionality with spiritual aesthetics, characteristic of Orthodox Christian architecture.
This monastery was built in the 17th century, and is home to monks who sell wine and olive oil, presumably to generate money for the church. The olive oil they sell here is pretty famous, so these guys know what they are doing.
Cernica Monastery is located near the town of Pantelimon, in Ilfov County.
It was founded in 1608 by the nobleman Cernica Știrbei.
The monastery sits on the shore of Lake Cernica, offering a picturesque landscape and a serene atmosphere for prayer and reflection.
Cernica Monastery, established in 1608 during the reign of Radu Șerban, was founded by Cernica Știrbei, the great vornic of Michael the Brave, and his wife, Chiajna.
This monastic complex has been a significant center of monastic education.
Within the monastery grounds, three churches and three chapels have been constructed.
The main church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, suffered damage during the 1802 earthquake and was repaired between 1809 and 1815 by Archimandrite Timotei.
A major restoration was undertaken in 1925 following another earthquake in 1838 that caused the collapse of a turret, and a fire in 1923.[2]
The church dedicated to Saint George was originally built in the 18th century by Dan Brașoveanu.
It was completely rebuilt between 1962 and 1964, and further consolidated after the damages from the large Vrancea earthquake of March 1977.
In 1804, Archimandrite George constructed the small, beautiful Church of Saint Lazarus within the monastery's cemetery.
The three chapels of the monastery are "The Dormition of the Mother of God," built in 1790, "Saint John," constructed in 1842, and "The Entrance into the Church."
Between 1900 and 1904, the poet Tudor Arghezi was a monk at Cernica Monastery.
The cemetery of Cernica Monastery is the final resting place of many Romanian personalities, including painter Ion Țuculescu, Metropolitan Nifon, theologian Saint Dumitru Stăniloae, writer Gala Galaction, orientalist Athanase Negoiță, sociologist Ernest Bernea, pianist Johnny Răducanu, singer Zavaidoc, actress Stela Popescu, director Geo Saizescu, translator Stelian Gruia, academician Emilian Popescu, broadcaster Marioara Murărescu, and politician Pan Halippa.
The church is built in Neoclassical with Romanian decorative elements.
The architecture of the monastery features monumental churches with trilobed plans, lateral apses, and prominent domes.
Structures like the Church of Saint Nicholas and the Church of Saint George are built with strong masonry columns that support the vaults of the nave and narthex, highlighting a traditional ecclesiastical architectural style.
The Church of Saint Lazarus, located in the monastery's cemetery, is notable for its rich external decorations.
It exemplifies the traditional monastic architectural style that combines functionality with spiritual aesthetics, characteristic of Orthodox Christian architecture.