The "Torre de Belém" (or "Belém Tower" in English), was built in1514, by decision of the Portuguese King D. Joao II. The construction was finished 6 years later, in1520 and that new facility was immediately used for controlling and defending the entrance of Lisbon through the river. The initial ... Read review
The Torre del Belem was built as a fortress in 1514 to defend the mouth of Lisbon's river ... more
Tejo. Classified in 1983 as a World Heritage Site, the tower is now one of Lisbon's most popular tourist attractions. This guide gives a fascinating account of an important Portuguese monument.
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Advantages: A beautiful Tower in a beautiful place! Disadvantages: none
The "Torre de Belém" (or "Belém Tower" in English), was built in1514, by decision of the Portuguese King D. Joao II. The construction was finished 6 years later, in1520 and that new facility was immediately used for controlling and defending the entrance of Lisbon through the river. The initial plan was to build 3 towers similar to this, one at the opposite side of the Tagus river and another one on the same side but a little ... ...powerful cross fire that would eventually avoid any attempt of an assault to the city and its surroundings. As the other 2 towers never got to be built, small fortifications were made to replace them, although neither of them can be compared with the size or the beauty of the "Torre de Belém". The main reason for this change of plans was probably the time took to build and the costs of such an enterprise. Once those two small fortifications ... more
The "Torre de Belém" (or "Belém Tower" in English), was built in1514, by decision of the Portuguese King D. Joao II. The construction was finished 6 years later, in1520 and that new facility was immediately used for controlling and defending the entrance of Lisbon through the river. The initial plan was to build 3 towers similar to this, one at the opposite side of the Tagus river and another one on the same side but a little closer to the Atlantic Ocean (closer to Cascais), allowing a powerful cross fire that would eventually avoid any attempt of an assault to the city and its surroundings. As the other 2 towers never got to be built, small fortifications were made to replace them, although neither of them can be compared with the size or the beauty of the "Torre de Belém". The main reason for this change of plans was probably the time took to build and the costs of such an enterprise. Once those two small fortifications were not enough to substitute the two planed towers the King decided to build a "Nau" (a big ship of Portuguese design and construction, commonly used during the "Descobertas - Discoveries") heavily armed, that would work as a mobile defending unit. During its life until these days, the Tower was used for many different things. During the Spanish ruling period between 1580-1640 its dungeons were used as a political prison, between 1808/14 during the French invasions it received the French soldiers and later it was used as a lighthouse. The Tower resisted to the 1755 earthquake that tare Lisbon apart and the tsunami that came with it. When the Tower was built it was not as close of the shore as it is nowadays, that's the result of a redesign of the shoreline on that area, back in 1940. In 1983 UNESCO classified it as "Cultural World Heritage"
The "Torre de Belém" is in a very pleasant and beautiful part of Lisbon. Close to the river, you'll find nice gardens and other interest sightings around it. I recommend a visit to CCB (it's a cultural building with theaters, and museums, such as the Design Museum), the "Mosteiro dos Jerónimos" a magnificent Church that once was a monastery, "Museu dos Coches" it's a beautiful old chariots museum, and "Pasteis de Belém" were you can eat stupendous custard tarts (there are 2 reviews about it), and "Padrao dos Descobrimentos" a newer tower built to commemorate the Portuguese discoveries where you can admire a great city sight.
I recommend a full day to Belém, you won't regret it!
Visiting it:
From October to April it's open from 10 AM to 5 PM. From May to September it's open from 10 AM to 6:30 PM
Last entrance 30 minutes before closure time.
It's closed every Monday and in national holidays (January1st, April1st, April 25th and Easter Sunday)
Transportation:
You have buses nº 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51, Tram nº 15 and the Train from Cascais to Lisboa that makes a stop at Belém (not all of them, ask were you buy the ticket or some passenger).
Advantages: An area filled with beauty, history and is very laid back Disadvantages: None
you get involved with that scene you have a good look at the architecture, monuments and parks in the area. Here are some suggestions:
The Moisteiro dos Jeronimos
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The Mosteiro dos Jeronimos or Hieronymite Monastery in Belem is by far one of the most interesting buildings in Lisbon. The monastery and TorredeBelem watchtower are unique memorial's to Portugal's Golden Age which followed after the Voyages of Discovery. Lisbon was badly hit by the 1755 earthquake but these magnificent buildings managed to survive and didn't topple into dust.
This is one fabulous building and for some reason reminds me of the Parliament Building in Budapest probably because of the Gothic aspects to both buildings even though they were built at different times. The long side of the monastery now overlooks lawns and gardens ...
Praski 16.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional Review of Belém, Lisbon
Advantages: Well situated - close to famous attraction and good transport links Disadvantages: A bit pricey
Jeronimos 8 is one of the most contemporary hotels I have come across in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. It has a real 'designer' feel to the establishment and makes a refreshing change from the heavy wood furniture and long draped curtains that you come across quite a lot in Portugal.
The hotel is well connected by tram, bus and train to the city centre. To save on costs whilst travelling to and from the hotel I suggest you purchase a Sete Colinas travel card from the nearest kiosk or newsagents.
Location wise it is in a great situation - very near to some of the favourite and most famous attractions. For example: my favourite and one of Lisbon's most beautiful Manueline pieces of architecture - Jeronimos Monastery is only 200 metres from the hotel. TorredeBelem and the Monument of the Discoveries are a walk away at 1.5 kilometres ...
Advantages: See Europe in an hour and a bit Disadvantages: It's not very big...
Venice and a model of Vesuvius complete with eruptions - the platform next to Vesuvius actually vibrates when the eruptions take place and can be quite a shock when you're not expecting it!
Germany has the Brandenburg Gate, Trier's Porta Nigra, various castles, and a Berlin Wall which is demolished and rebuilt at regular intervals.
Greece has the Acropolis; Portugal has the TorredeBelem and the Algarve; Denmark, a Viking village as well as Copenhagen; Sweden is depicted by Stockholm's City Hall; Finland has Olavinlinna Castle; The Netherlands is portrayed by Amsterdam, Veere and windmills galore; Eire has Cashel; Spain - Seville and Barcelona; Luxembourg by the Pont Adolphe; Austria the Abbey at Melk.
Belgium?
Not surprisingly, Belgium is featured more than any other nation here. There's Brussel's Grand Place, Middelburg ...
