Lisbon- Monumental Belem

Overview

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Belém, is a parish of Lisbon, located 6km west of the present city centre and 2km west of the 25th of April Bridge. I’m told its name is derived from the Portuguese for Bethlehem. It is Lisbon's most monumental and historical area and the best place to start sightseeing.It was from here that many of the great Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages of discovery: Prince Henry the Navigator and the first overseas expedition to conquer Ceuta in Morocco, Bartholomew Dias to round the Cape of Good Hope, the first voyages of Ferdinand Magellan, and Vasco da Gama to discover the sea route to India. Christopher Columbus stopped here on his way back to Europe after discovering America.Du...Read More

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Cityrama/Grayline Tours

Attraction | "Sightseeing Bus"

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The Lisbon Cityline Bus is one of the most convenient ways to discover Lisbon. It enables you to get a good overview of the city while visiting some of the major sightseeing attractions including Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belem, and the Monument of the Discoveries.The bus provides a guided commentary along the route, and you can hop on and off as many times as you like throughout the day, at any of the 13 designated stops. The stops are:· Marques de Pombal - Terminal and panorama of Marquis of Pombal monument, built in memory to this statesman who ordered the rebuilding of Lisbon after the earthquake of 1755. · Avenida da Liberdade - The main avenue of the city links Pombal Squ...Read More

The Lisbon Cityline Bus is one of the most convenient ways to discover Lisbon. It enables you to get a good overview of the city while visiting some of the major sightseeing attractions including Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belem, and the Monument of the Discoveries.

The bus provides a guided commentary along the route, and you can hop on and off as many times as you like throughout the day, at any of the 13 designated stops. The stops are:

· Marques de Pombal - Terminal and panorama of Marquis of Pombal monument, built in memory to this statesman who ordered the rebuilding of Lisbon after the earthquake of 1755.
· Avenida da Liberdade - The main avenue of the city links Pombal Square with the center. Along this avenue you can find many brand shops, hotels, etc.
· Restauradores - The obelisk in the middle of the square commemorates the independence of Portugal in 1640, after 60 years of Spanish domination.
· Rossio - Also called Pedro IV's Square, it is the heart of the city. All around the square there are shops, famous cafés, and also the National Theatre.
· Terreiro do Paco/Praca do Comercio - Considered to be one of the most beautiful squares of Lisbon. It was here that the Royal Palace was located at the time of King Manuel (16th C.)
· Alcantara / Docas - Principal pier of Lisbon, famous for its night activities such as bars, restaurants, discos, pubs, etc.
· National Museum of Coaches - One of the most visited museums in Portugal. This museum, installed in the former Royal Riding School, occupies the Eastern wing of Belem Palace.
· Jeronimos Monastery - King Manuel, wished to use the building as a monument to the great discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries.
· Centro Cultural de Belem - This building, was inaugurated in 1992 as a Cultural Center. It's a good example of contemporary Portuguese architecture.
· Tower of Belem - The master piece of "Manueline" style. Built between 1515 and 1521 at the entrance of the harbor it marks the point of departure of many maritime expeditions.
· Monument of the Discoveries - Designed to commemorate the age of discoveries, the central figure is Prince Henry the Navigator who was the great supporter of the famous explorers.
· Basilica da Estrela - A church from the 18th century where one can find paintings of Batoni and Pedro Alexandrino
· El Corte Ingles - One of the biggest and more complete shopping centers in Lisbon area.
· Eduardo VII Park - Beautiful panorama of Eduardo VII gardens, Marques de Pombal monument, Avenida da Liberdade, downtown, Tagus River and south.

This tour must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your travel date. The tour is operated in English, French, German, and Portuguese. The ticket is valid for 1 calendar day. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 19, 2007

Cityrama/Grayline Tours

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The 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril)

Attraction | "25 de Abril Bridge"

Quote:

My engineering background may be showing but I found the 25 de Abril suspension Bridge (25th of April Bridge) to be a very impressive structure. It connects the city of Lisbon, to the municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tagus River. It was opened in 1966 and a train deck was added in 1999. Soon after the so-called Carnation Revolution in 1974, the bridge was renamed the 25 de Abril Bridge, the day the revolution had occurred. It is a commanding presence from Belem and many other areas of the city.Upon completion, the bridge had the longest suspended span and the longest main span in Continental Europe, the world's longest continuous truss, and the world's deepest bridge foundation. ...Read More

My engineering background may be showing but I found the 25 de Abril suspension Bridge (25th of April Bridge) to be a very impressive structure. It connects the city of Lisbon, to the municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tagus River. It was opened in 1966 and a train deck was added in 1999. Soon after the so-called Carnation Revolution in 1974, the bridge was renamed the 25 de Abril Bridge, the day the revolution had occurred. It is a commanding presence from Belem and many other areas of the city.

Upon completion, the bridge had the longest suspended span and the longest main span in Continental Europe, the world's longest continuous truss, and the world's deepest bridge foundation. It was the fifth largest suspension bridge in the world, the largest outside the USA. Today it has been surpassed by many other bridges in various places around the world but it is now undoubtedly one of the world’s busiest structures.

The 25 de Abril Bridge is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and not just because it was built by the same company. The American Society of Civil Engineers says that "Like its sister bridge, the Golden Gate in San Francisco, the Tagus River Bridge is located in an area with a long history of earthquakes" and seismic data had to be taken into account in its construction. Another sister bridge is the Forth Road Bridge in Edinburgh,

Since 1999, the lower deck has carried two railroad tracks. To accommodate this, the bridge underwent extensive structural reinforcements, including a second set of main cables, placed above the original set, and the main towers were increased in height. The rail line had been part of the initial design, but was eliminated for economy, and the initial structure had been lightened. The original builder, the American Bridge Company, was called again for the job, to carry out the first ever aerial spinning of additional main cables on a loaded, fully operational suspension bridge.

The bridge was projected to have paid all debt in 20 years, and to become toll-free (or reduced toll) after that period. However, the Government has kept charging tolls well beyond the 20 year period. Today the toll applies northbound only, with the toll plaza situated on the south bank of the Tagus River. The toll is currently set at € 1.25 for passenger cars, northbound (into Lisbon).

You can get a great view of the bridge, as well as the rest of the Lisbon area from the base of the Christ (Cristo Rei) monument across the river (free), and an even better view of the area from the top of the monument (5 euros). Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 19, 2007

The 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril)

Lisbon, Estremadura

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Torre de Belem

Attraction | "Belem Tower"

Quote:

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 incorporat...Read More

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. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 19, 2007

Torre de Belem
East side on the Tagus
Lisbon, Portugal

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Monument to the Discoveries

Attraction | "Discoveries Monument"

Quote:

Across from Jerronimos Monastery, reached via an underpass from its gardens, is the Discoveries Monument, built on the north bank of the Tagus River in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. This is a modern structure contrasting nicely with the monastery and the Belem Tower.It represents a three-sailed ship ready to depart, with sculptures of important historical figures. There is King Manuel I carrying an armillary sphere, poet Camões holding verses from The Lusiads, Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Cabral, and several other notable Portuguese explorers, crusaders, monks, cartographers, and cosmographers. All are following Prince Henry the Navigator at ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 19, 2007

Monument to the Discoveries
River Tagus
Lisbon, Portugal

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Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Jeronimos Monastery)

Attraction | "Monastery of Jeronimos"

Quote:

The Jeronimos Monastery is to me by far the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. King Manuel I started it in 1502 on the site of a hermitage founded by Prince Henry the Navigator, where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in Portugal in prayer before leaving for India. It was built to commemorate Vasco Da Gama's voyage and to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for its success.Vasco da Gama's tomb was placed inside by the entrance, as was the tomb of poet Luis de Camões, author of the epic The Lusiads in which he glorifies the triumphs of Da Gama and his compatriots. Other great figures in Portuguese history are also entombed here, like Ki...Read More

The Jeronimos Monastery is to me by far the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. King Manuel I started it in 1502 on the site of a hermitage founded by Prince Henry the Navigator, where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in Portugal in prayer before leaving for India. It was built to commemorate Vasco Da Gama's voyage and to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for its success.

Vasco da Gama's tomb was placed inside by the entrance, as was the tomb of poet Luis de Camões, author of the epic The Lusiads in which he glorifies the triumphs of Da Gama and his compatriots. Other great figures in Portuguese history are also entombed here, like King Manuel and King Sebastião, and poets Fernando Pessoa and Alexandre Herculano.

This 16th-century monastery is one of the few surviving examples of Manueline-style architecture, named after Manuel I. This style of architecture, just seen in Portugal, is an ornate blend of late Gothic and Renaissance, with signs of seafaring, nature and the monarchy (rope, flora, fauna and coats of arms) sculpted into the columns.

The monastery once housed monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, whose prayers were intended to safeguard the seafaring Portuguese on their expeditions. The building is now listed (along with the Torre de Belém) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a spectacular structure with high arches, impressive columns, and ornate spires.

Begin by observing the south-facing facade, whose main feature of interest is the portal, the work of Joao de Castilho, surmounted by a tympanum of carved stone, including low reliefs showing scenes from the life of St. Jerome and the royal coat of arms. In the centre is a statue of Prince Henry the Navigator wielding a sword and, at the upper level, a statue of Our Lady of Belem, covered by a finely carved canopy.

Now enter the church and see the two tombs of Vasco da Gama and the poet Luis de Camoes near the door. Beyond lies the spacious and beautiful hall church, designed by the architect Joao de Castilho, with its spectacular network vaulting that has no arches and is supported on finely carved columns.

The cloisters are magnificent, each column differently carved with coils of rope, sea monsters, coral, and other sea motifs evocative of that time of world exploration at sea. The central courtyard is a magically peaceful place except on the busiest of days.

The monastery opens 10am to 5pm daily except Mondays. Entry to the church is free while there is a charge for the cloisters. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 19, 2007

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Jeronimos Monastery)
Praca do Imperio
Lisbon, Portugal 1400-206
+351 (21) 3620034

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Lisbon- Monumental Belem