Torre de Belem (Belem Tower)

The Torre de Belém (Belem Tower) is without a doubt Lisbon’s most notable milestone. The tower was inherent the sixteenth century in the Tagus waterway to control the passageway to the city from the ocean.

The thought to construct a stronghold close Belém was dispatched in the fifteenth century by ruler John II, who charged the development of a tower in the stream Tagus as a major aspect of a bigger opposing defense. When arrangements for the tower were finished the King had passed on and the venture was retired.

The venture was resuscitated in 1514, amid the rule of his successor, King Manuel I. Another outline for the sustained tower was made by Francisco de Arruda and development began the accompanying year close to the harbor of Belém, the beginning stage of a number of the Portuguese voyagers amid the Age of Discoveries. The tower was finished only after six years, in 1521. At the time the tower was known as the Torre de São Vicente (Tower of St. Vincent) as the King had put the tower under the assurance of St. Vincent, Lisbon’s benefactor example of piety.

The exquisite tower was planned in the new Manueline structural planning style, named for ruler Manuel I. The Manueline style is a Portuguese variation of the high Gothic style found in northern Europe however with more overflowing embellishments and nautical-themed adornments. The style reflected Portugal’s self-assurance and riches that was a consequence of the Age of Discoveries, when pilgrims built states and made new exchange courses that brought wealth from India and other far-away destinations to Lisbon.

For a fort, the tower has a shockingly rich outer surface with wonderful etched overhangs and fine limestone trimmings, a demonstration of the riches Portugal experienced amid the Manueline period.

The tower comprises of a six-sided base with Moorish style turrets at each one corner. A battery of ordinances were set here. The cross-vaulted storm cellar was later utilized as a jail. The porch over the storm cellar is beautified with a statue of Mary and tyke that is intended to ensure seafarers.

The upper floors of the tower contained the ordnance and private living arrangements. Most fascinating are the illustrious living arrangements on the second floor, offering a wonderful Italianate loggia with etched segments and a few galleries with complex carvings. On top of the upper floor is an alternate porch, which offers excellent perspectives over Belém and the Tagus stream.

The Torre de Belém was initially totally encompassed by water yet throughout the hundreds of years the Tagus stream retreated and an area has silted up. The tower is currently effortlessly available from the riverbank by a walkway that brings guests right to the entrance.

Closed: Mondays
Admission Fee: 6EUR