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Torre de Belem

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Barb B
Barb B
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

A Well Preserved Bastion in Belem

  • March 27, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Praskipark from Warsaw, Poland
A Well Preserved Bastion in Belem

The Torre de Belem is one of the most photographed buildings in Lisbon and you will see it on most postcards. Every time I see it I am always surprised how small the building actually is and how well preserved it is.

The Torre which is a major landmark is a few minutes walk upstream from the Moistero dos Jeronimos and not far from the Alfama district.This Manueline bastion was built in 1515 -1521 to protect the entrance to Lisbon's harbour. It was conceived as a lighthouse and fortress and lay offshore, but it is now linked to the land. King Miguel incarcarated his political opponents in the dungeon which lies below the terrace and is Gothic in style, as recently as the 19th century. It was also used as a store room for arms.

The exterior is one of great beauty, and is one of the finest examples of military architecture in Europe.

The Moorish turrets bear the cross of the Knights of Christ and the tiny towers at each corner are thought to have been influenced by Indian architecture. The design of the Torre was executed by Fransisco de Arruda who had also worked on many grand pieces of architecture in Morrocco.

By climbing up to the top of the tower you will see a wonderful panoramic view of the shoreline from the 35 metre terrace and should not be missed. Leading up to the entrance of the Torre are pathways of a park and the atmosphere is very relaxed with families promenading and children playing.

Belem has many fine monuments and buildings but there is definitely something rich and splendid about the Torre de Belem. Not only is its shape distinguished but also the light colouring of the stone work which when the sun is slowly rising in the sky casts an amber and azure shadow over the River Tagus during the day.

In the evening when the building is lit up by artificial light you can see this sonorous silhouette from the Alfama and other parts of the city. A truly beautiful building.

Opening times are 10am - 5pm (October - April) and 10.30 - 6.30 (May - Sept). Closed on Mondays.

From journal Biding my Time in Belem

Editor Pick

Belem Tower

  • September 19, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Belem Tower

Built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor, the Belem Tower was the starting point for many of the Voyages of Discovery, and for the sailors it was the last sight of their homeland. It must have been a special place for them.

The building still has an important place in Portuguese culture. It is a monument to Portugal's Age of Discovery, is often used as a symbol of the country, and has been listed as a World Heritage monument by UNESCO. The official text says: Belem Tower was declared a World Heritage monument because: "It is a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world."

Built in the Manueline style, it incorporates many stonework motifs of the Discoveries, sculptures depicting historical figures such as St. Vincent and an exotic rhinoceros that inspired Dürer's drawing of the beast.

The architect, Francisco de Arruda, had previously worked on Portuguese fortifications in Morocco, so there are also Moorish-style watchtowers and other Moorish influences. Facing the river are arcaded windows, delicate Venetian-style loggias, and a statue of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming, a symbol of protection for sailors on their voyages.

Originally, the Tower stood on a little island on the right side of the Tagus River, surrounded by water. Today, with the progressive southward creeping of the shore over the years, it is now practically moored to the bank itself.

The tower itself, 35 metres high, has four storeys and a terrace that offers wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. The powder magazine is at water level. The next storeys are reached via a narrow spiral staircase. The first storey was the commander's room. The second storey has covered balconies on each side. Of the tower floors, the most interesting is the chapel of the fourth floor, with a magnificent Manueline rib vault decorated with the artillery sphere and the cross of the military Order of Christ, who participated in many Portuguese conquests. The oratory is on the top floor.

As centuries passed, new functions were given to the tower. It was a customs control point, a telegraph station and even a lighthouse. It also served as a political prison, its storerooms transformed into dungeons, since the time when Philip II of Spain became king of Portugal (1580) and during periods of political unrest.

The tower opens 10am-5pm (Oct.-April), 10am-6.30pm (May-Sept.), but is closed Mondays.

From journal Lisbon- Monumental Belem

Torre de Belem

  • August 15, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Sabina315 from Athens, Ohio
Torre de Belem

Before high-rise buildings, this tower was considered quite tall, and extremely important. The tower of Belem sits at the mouth of the river, just before it opens into the Atlantic. This was a very important place in the years of the European discoverers, who often used Portugal as a starting point on their way to the Americas. You can go up in the tower, or just take a little time to walk around and look at the beautiful tower.

From journal A Rainy Weekend in Portugal

Editor Pick

Torre de Belem

  • March 15, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by becks from Mexico City, Mexico
Torre de Belem

From a distance it looks fragile and almost dainty – a bit like a kitsch wedding cake – but close up, the amazing Torre de Belem unveils its true military purpose. It was built in 1520 by Manuel I as part of a defense system to protect the River Tagus estuary from naval attacks.

The Torre de Belem is a prime example of Manueline architecture confirming that military buildings can be both functional and beautiful. Close up, it is surprisingly small but so were the ships during the discoveries and with its full contingent of 17 cannons, it must have been a formidable fortress.

The Torre consists of a square main tower and a polygonal bastion as base. The first level is a vaulted dungeon where the cannons were kept. On the second level, the action is mostly outdoors and provides the best vantage points to admire the Manueline decorations of the main tower as the decorated façade faces the sea and not the mainland. The coat of arms of Manuel is above the Italian inspired loggia. The interior of the main tower is mostly bare making the view of the Tagus River and the Golden Gate-like Bridge of 25 April the main reason for climbing the spiral stairs. The spiral stairs get rather narrow higher up and it may be less pleasant on a busy day.

The Torre was traditionally the departure point for seafarers departing on voyages of discovery and a statue of the virgin and child – Our Lady of Safe Homecoming – is on the second level facing the waters. The Roman Catholic influences are also evident in battlements decorated with the cross of the Order of Christ and the top floor of the tower used to be a chapel.

However, the overwhelming impression of the Torre as a whole is Moorish with Arabic influences dominating the design. The architect, Francisco de Arruda, previously worked in Morocco and clearly got some inspiration from there. This is especially noticeable in the melon-shaped domes of the sentry posts as well as the stone carved rope that encircle the building and decorations of lion heads and pyramids.

The Torre de Belem used to be on a small island towards the right bank of the River Tagus from where it could provide crossfire with the Sao Sebastiao de Caparica fortress on the left bank. Nowadays only a special dam ensures that you actually have to cross water by gangway to reach the entrance from the north shore – the result of land reclamation projects in the nineteenth century.

In its almost half a millennium of existence, the Torre has served many roles from defensive bastion to customs house, jail and telegraph station. Currently, its main purpose is a tourist destination although it is also used during official state visits to Portugal. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, which should help to ensure its preservation despite the best efforts of modern day pollution.

From journal A wet week in Lisbon

Editor Pick

The Belem Waterfront District

  • March 20, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Jose Kevo from Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri
The Belem Waterfront District

What Christopher Columbus initiated, the Portuguese mastered in charting the Seven Seas. No place glorifies or emphasizes this more than the monumental waterfront along the Belém District.

It was from these shores Vasco de Gama launched the expedition that would change the 16th Century world. Upon successful return, and actually finding a route to the Far East, floodgates for breakthroughs were opened. Unlike Spain's gold-hungry agenda netting land wealth in the Americas, Portugal flourished with global shipping trade and established colonies.

The Pradão dos Descobrimentos, Monument of the Discoveries, was a 1960 tribute to Henry the Navigator, on the 500th Anniversary of his death. As primary instructor and benefactor of expeditions, that's him on the prow holding a small ship; rather figurative seeings how he never actually sailed.

Depictions of the great explorers, kings, and even notable art contributors are a line-up of originator on many fronts. Even if names aren't familiar, life-like statues are worth contemplations.

Atop the tower is a wind-swept observation deck that shouldn't be missed. The regional overview is superb, but highlight perspectives come from looking down at the colossal mosaic compass and map sprawling across the courtyard entry. It's absolutely impossible to appreciate this work of art at ground level -- just as the caravel shape of the monument is better admired from a distance. There's plenty of chances for glancing back when including Torre de Belém as part of the segment.

This ornate bulwark was an essential splurge once Portugal struck it rich. When completed in 1521, it was centrally located in the Tagus, where river's mouth opened into the Atlantic bay. Shores, which used to border Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, have been resculpted by time. Tide levels now determine appearance of a moat, only enhancing the medieval mystique.

Exterior facade is loaded with maritime and religious icon reliefs, mirroring the Manueline architectural style of the counterpart monastery. A head-on viewing of the Our Lady of Safe Homecoming statue was what mariners sought on departure and return, and so should you to be 'blessed' with a full composite, including portals, loggia, and the finest of structural details.

The dungeon prison area and three levels of the tower are open for explorations, and worth a look while here. Upper-level observation deck doesn't measure up with the one at Monument to the Discoveries, and nothing inside compares to outer-courtyard on the main floor.

-- There's plenty of walking required; a good mile separates the Monument and Tower. Stay close to the outer-road because of numerous dead-end passages around marinas and boat slips.

-- Including these with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a natural. Details for getting here, including the underground tunnel connection, are included within that review.

-- Lisbon's Museu de Arte Popular (Folk Art) is between these two main attractions. The waterfront includes upscale restaurants, smaller eateries, craft stalls, roving vendors; all you'd expect in a high-traffic tourist zone.

From journal Lisbon's New Age of Discovery

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