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Joćo de Castilho (c. 1470 - 1552)

Born around 1470, did most of his work in Portugal even though his birthplace was Cantabria in Spain.
He began his work at the Convent of Christ in 1515 while making the celebrated southern gateway of the Manueline church opposite the famous "Capitulum Window" drawn by his predecessor, Diogo de Arruda, the Convent´s master-builder.

His intervention in the convent takes place in two distinct periods of time. The first one - from 1513 to 1515 - in Manueline style (in the southern gateway and the dome of the High Choir) in conclusion to works initiated by Diogo de Arruda. The second period spanning from 1533 to 1552 marks the return of the master to the convent already inspired in perceivable classical motifs in the remains of the Main Cloister, later disassembled, and in the remaining cloisters to the north and west - ie. The Lodgings, Ravens and Needs Cloisters.

João de Castilho passed away in 1552, and in his time was considered to be the greatest 16th century architect in Portugal and one of Europe´s greats.
Other works:
Chapel of Our Lady of Conception in Tomar.
Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon

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