How did Gothic architecture in Portugal develop under King Manuel I?

Under the reign of King Manuel I (1495–1521), Portuguese architecture experienced a final, distinctive flowering of the Gothic style known as Manueline. This unique architectural movement served as a transition between the late Gothic period and the subsequent influence of the High Renaissance and Mannerism.1

The Manueline style is characterized by its lavish, dense ornamentation, which reflects the prosperity Portugal gained through maritime trade. Its decorative vocabulary is deeply nautical, featuring motifs such as carved seaweed, algae, barnacles, coral, stone ropes, and cables. Architects also incorporated heraldic shields, anchors, and navigational instruments into the facades and interiors of buildings.1

This style was influenced by the Flamboyant Gothic style of northern Europe, contemporary Spanish architecture, and a revival of Moorish style elements. Notable examples of this evolution include the church and convent of the Knights of Christ at Tomar and the Unfinished Chapels at the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitòria in Batalha. The Manueline style matured into a highly decorative form that is sometimes associated with the Plateresque style, reflecting a level of detail comparable to intricate silversmith work.123