About this book
As obras dos Jeronymos parecer apresentado à Commissão dos Monumentos Nacionaes em sessão de 7 de Novembro de 1895, by Luciano Cordeiro, delivers a trenchant, firsthand critique of the 19th-century interventions at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Lisbon. Cordeiro—then vice-president presenting to the national monuments commission—traces the building’s modern history from the 1833 repurposing of convent spaces for the Casa Pia to the controversial works begun in 1863, arguing that many so-called “restaurations” and “reconstructions” damaged more than they conserved.
Part art-historical analysis, part conservation manifesto, the text examines architectural decisions, aesthetic priorities, and the social forces driving alterations to a Portuguese national monument. Cordeiro denounces speculative demolitions, ill-considered additions, and the lack of rigorous study, offering insights into period practices of preservation and the tensions between utility, hygiene, and historical authenticity. The audiobook situates these debates within late-19th-century cultural and institutional reforms, making clear why the Jerónimos became a focal point for national identity and heritage policy.
Perfect for listeners interested in art, architectural history, conservation, or Portuguese cultural history, this audiobook illuminates a pivotal moment in monument care and the enduring challenge of restoring the past responsibly.
