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Belem Tower Lisbon

Introduction

Belem Tower (Torre de Belem) is situated on the northern bank of the River Tagus in Lisbon. The reason to build this tower at the mouth of the river was to protect the entry to Lisbon port. Originally, the tower was built on a small island inside the River Tagus but after the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, the river changed its course and now tower sits on its shore.

Strategically built at the mouth of the river to protect the entry to Lisbon port
An enticing view of the pretty setting on the shores of the River Tagus
Strategically built at the mouth of the river to protect the entry to Lisbon port
Strategically built at the mouth of the river to protect the entry to Lisbon port
A walkway leading to the Belem Tower of Lisbon
A walkway leading to the Belem Tower of Lisbon
A model of the Torre de Belem at display, close to the main structure
Another look at the model of the Belem Tower Lisbon
Another look at the model of the Belem Tower Lisbon
This tower is a popular tourist attraction when coming to Lisbon
This tower is a popular tourist attraction when coming to Lisbon
This photo shows that at any given time, only 120 people can enter the Belem Tower (tower keep)
This photo shows that at any given time, only 120 people can enter the Belem Tower (tower keep)
A boat passes in front of the tower on the River Tagus
A boat passes in front of the tower on the River Tagus
A side view of the Belem Tower Lisbon
A side view of the Belem Tower Lisbon
A wooden bridge provides access to the main door of the tower

History

It’s construction lasted between 1514 – 1520, during the reign of Manuel I. During the construction of this tower, a heavily armed man-of-war ship guarded the site. It has two main parts, the medieval keep tower and a modern bulwark which contains two artillery levels. In 1580, Duke of Alba brought his Spanish forces and took this tower. After this defeat, the dungeons of the tower served as a prison until 1830. From 1580 onward a number of structures were added to the terrace with the aim of increasing its garrison capacity.
A gangway is connected to the drawbridge which is a sole entrance of the tower. The structure is built with the beige-white limestone and a royal coat of arms and flanked by small columns can be seen at the entrance.

A drawbridge further increases the security of this building
Entrance of the Belem Tower Lisbon
Details above the entrance door of the Belem Tower
Looking back at the queue of people, waiting to get inside the tower
Looking back at the queue of people, waiting to get inside the tower
Interior of the bulwark
Guns were pointed out at the river to defend this vital access to the capital of Portugal
Guns were pointed out at the river to defend this vital access to the capital of Portugal

Bulwark

Inside the bulwark, artillery is placed at 17 cannon holes. On the ground floor bunker, the floor is inclined towards the outside to allow water to go out if it enters the tower. Also, a small gift shop is located inside the bulwark of the tower, where cannons are placed. In the past, there were two batteries in place, lower and the upper. At the very bottom, a dungeon was used to store for the magazine and the prison cells. The main façade of the fortress faces the river but this window offers a view of the area.

A cannon on the ground floor bunker - Belem Tower Lisbon
A cannon on the ground floor bunker - Belem Tower Lisbon
A gift shop, next to the cannons of the tower
A gift shop, next to the cannons of the tower
This covered area opens to the bottom of the tower
This covered area opens to the bottom of the tower
Batteries at the lower level of the tower
The largest of magazines is accessed via a stairway on the north side
The largest of magazines is accessed via a stairway on the north side
This area was used to store for the magazine and the prison cells
This area was used to store for the magazine and the prison cells
The mechanism which controls the drawbridge at the door of the tower
Waters of the River Tagus seen between the walls of the Belem Tower Lisbon
Waters of the River Tagus seen between the walls of the Belem Tower Lisbon
Southern facade of the Belem Tower Lisbon
Southern facade of the Belem Tower Lisbon
Open side of tower has royal symbols and archetypal elements of Manueline architecture
Open side of tower has royal symbols and archetypal elements of Manueline architecture

The decoration of the exterior is very unique but area next to the tower is also rich in beauty. When walking on the shores of the River Tagus, one can see this tower from anywhere in the area. On the southern side of the parapet stands an image of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming, also known as the “Virgin of the Grapes”. At the northeast and northwest corners of the Governor’s Chamber, a small tunnel leads to the bartizans. Inside the tower only 120 people can visit at one time in order to avoid overcrowding.

Wonderful view from the window of the tower
Area next to the tower is also rich in beauty
Area next to the tower is also rich in beauty
Shores of the River Tagus
Shores of the River Tagus
The wooden bridge (gangway) which provides access to the tower
The wooden bridge (gangway) which provides access to the tower
Image of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming - Belem Tower Lisbon
A beautiful southern facade of the tower
A beautiful southern facade of the tower
A narrow passage to Governor's Chamber of Belem Tower Lisbon
A narrow passage to Governor's Chamber of Belem Tower Lisbon
A sign explains the entry and exit system of the keep
Only people can come up or go down at any given time and it is controlled by a bell and red and green arrows
Only people can come up or go down at any given time and it is controlled by a bell and red and green arrows
A climb to the tower terrace is a tight squeeze on its small and narrow stairs

Panoramic Views

The King’s Room is situated next to a balcony on the tower’s southern façade. At the top of the keep of the Belem Tower, one can enjoy the surrounding areas. One of them is a beautiful road of Avenida da Torre de Belém, Champalimaud Foundation For Av.do Rallies, Padrao dos Descobrimentos, the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Christ the King statue to name few. In 1983, this site was listed as the UNSECO World Heritage.

A wonderful of the Avenida da Torre de Belém from the tower terrace
A wonderful of the Avenida da Torre de Belém from the tower terrace
Champalimaud Foundation For Av.do Rallies sits in the background of this photo
Champalimaud Foundation For Av.do Rallies sits in the background of this photo
A closer look at the building on the shores of the River Tagus
Lisbon is written in the sands of the River Tagus's beach
Lisbon is written in the sands of the River Tagus's beach
At the top, one can enjoy the panorama of the River Tagus and the waterfront
At the top, one can enjoy the panorama of the River Tagus and the waterfront
These tanks were sitting on the opposite bank of the river - Belem Tower Lisbon
These tanks were sitting on the opposite bank of the river - Belem Tower Lisbon
I used zoom lens to capture this port in action at the mouth of the river
I used zoom lens to capture this port in action at the mouth of the river
The 25 de Abril Bridge seen from the Belem Tower Lisbon
The 25 de Abril Bridge seen from the Belem Tower Lisbon
This bridge was built in 1966 by the American Bridge Company
This bridge was built in 1966 by the American Bridge Company
Christ the King statue is located on the southern shores of the river
King's Room is situated next to a balcony on the tower's southern façade
It got busier at the wooden bridge of the Belem Tower Lisbon
It got busier at the wooden bridge of the Belem Tower Lisbon
Torre de Belem, seen from the corner while standing close to Aos Combatentes do Ultramar side
Torre de Belem, seen from the corner while standing close to Aos Combatentes do Ultramar side