Jerónimos Construction: Masters and Material

Jerónimos rose through campaigns led by masters like Diogo Boitaca and João de Castilho—punctuated by funding cycles, seasonal labor, and material logistics.

🧱 Phasing at a Glance

1. Foundations and church shell—stability and volume first.
2. Cloister arcs and galleries—carving progresses in bays.
3. Façade refinements—portal sculpture and narrative programs.
4. Finishes—flooring, glazing, minor metalwork.

Seasonal cadence mattered: quarrying and sea transport followed weather windows.

🪨 Materials Toolkit

• Lioz limestone: quarry blocks, rough dress, fine carve.
• Timber: scaffolding towers, vault centering, hoists.
• Metals: cramps, ties, and hardware for discreet reinforcement.
• Mortars: lime-based mixes, adjusted for setting time and weather.

Site Logistics

• River proximity eased heavy transport.
• On-site yards sorted stone by block size and intended location.
• Workshop marks tracked piecework and wages.

Building is choreography of trade—stone, timber, labor, and time.

[^phase]: Phases reflect funding cycles and workshop availability.