It sounds like the title of a romantic plot. But it is not … Although the first time used in the XIX century, Manueline refers to a late Gothic architectural style prevalent in Portugal in the early XVI century. The style is extremely decorative. Its main feature is elaborate and intricate ornamentation, often involving maritime elements reflecting Portugal’s age of exploration, such as ropes, shells, and sea creatures. Manueline was labor-intensive and costly. If you look more attentively you will sometimes find the cross of the Order of Christ (former Templars) put in between other ornaments. 

One of the most prominent examples of buildings decorated Manueline style is the Tower of Belem on the shore of the Tagus river in Lisbon. It was built as a fortress to protect the Lisbon from the attacks from the sea.

The Tower of Belem or Torre de Belém in Portuguese, is a prominent example of the Manueline style of architecture. Located in Lisbon, Portugal, this tower was built in the early 16th century as part of the defenses at the mouth of the Tagus River and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.m

But now let us link the dots. Manueline derives from a name. King Manuel, I of Portugal, called the Fortunate, who ruled Portugal in times as the first fruits of the Discovery Age brought fortune to the relatively small Kingdom of Portugal. This period brought immense wealth and prestige to Portugal, marking it as a major global power. The receipts from trade with India and Africa allowed financing the tremendous and highly decorative architecture. King Manuel, I was the one who commissioned the works, hence the name: Manueline.

Henry the Navigator, or Infante Dom Henrique of Portugal, was a central figure in the early days of the Portuguese Empire and the Age of Discoveries. While he was not a navigator himself, Henry was a patron of explorers and played a crucial role in the development of Portuguese exploration and maritime trade. He sponsored a great number of voyages along the African coast and was instrumental in the discovery of new lands and sea routes.

The Age of Discoveries began only half a century before Manuel’s coronation (1495). These were the times of his grand grandfather’s reign. But it was his grand-grand uncle known by the name Henry the Navigator, who organized and financed the first Portuguese expeditions. Later on, the Portuguese sailors discovered the sea route to India (eastwards: Vasco da Gama, westwards: Ferdinand Magellan), Brazil (Pedro Álvares Cabral). While doing so, they seized for Portugal trades with several African countries. (The Age of Discoveries was highly profitable for the maritime powers. We must not, however, forget its shadows for the local communities.)

Now, you may ask how the Templars, the military order brutally dissolved 1312 on charges of heresy fits in the story.

Monastery of Batalha, Henry the Navigator burial site. Do you see crosses built-in in Manueline ornaments?

The Templar’s were haunted, tortured, and killed throughout Europe. It is common knowledge that the French King and the Pope wanted to confiscate their various assets and properties. The heresy was just an excuse.

This is, however, not true for the whole of Europe. The Portuguese king refused to prosecute the Portuguese Templars. He gave shelter to Templars from other countries, who escaped the haunt. He revived the order under the name Order of Christ (preserving its military status) and negotiated with the Pope that they would keep all of their assets and properties.

In 1420, a Portuguese king’s son Infante Henrique of Portugal, the one who will later be called Henry the Navigator, became the Grand Master of the Order. Initially, he used the Templars money to finance his ideas and expeditions. Later on, the expeditions had been funded from trade taxes. The Order of Christ played quite a role and was the one who profited much. The Order of Christ was given control over all new lands discovered by the Portuguese during the XV and XVI centuries. It played a role in establishing colonial administrations in the new territories. They helped in setting up governance structures to manage the colonies and oversee economic activities. This meant that the Order received a substantial portion of the revenues from trade with Africa, Asia, and Brazil.

Needless to say that Manuel I himself was the Grand Master. Magellan, da Gama, and Cabral were among the knights, too.

Perhaps the most famous example of Manueline architecture associated with the Order of Christ is the Convent of Christ in Tomar. This convent was originally a Templar stronghold and later became the headquarters of the Order of Christ. Its famous window in the Chapter House, created by Diogo de Arruda around 1510-1513, is one of the masterpieces of Manueline architecture.