World Heritage Photos

Tower of Belém – Symbol of Portugal as a Seafaring Nation

The Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) is a fortified tower in the Belém district of Lisbon. It stands on a small island in the estuary of the River Tagus and is accessible via a short footbridge. The tower was built between 1515 and 1521 and formed part of a extensive defensive system along the Tagus. The Tower of Belém is the symbol of Portugal's seafaring triumphs. The official name of the tower is the Torre de São Vicente. 

The Belém Tower is the most celebrated building of the Portuguese Manueline style and a true masterpiece of this unique style. Other buildings, originally built in the Gothic style, were renovated years later in this iconic style, which is also known as the Portuguese Late Gothic style. The design of the tower was influenced by the North African and Mudéjar styles.

The Belém Tower features ornate carved stone balconies, ribbed vaults, battlements, watchtowers, and domes. It is decorated with carvings in the form of intertwined ships' cables, typical of the nautically inspired Manueline style, crosses of the Order of Christ, and an armillary sphere. One of the principal Grand Masters of the order was Prince Henry the Navigator, the main initiator of the voyages of discovery. He made Portugal a great seafaring power in the 15th century. The tower was the departure point for Portuguese ships and became the symbol of the nation's voyages of discovery and trade.

The Belém Tower is 35 metres high and has five storeys; the underground vaults served as a prison at the time. Today, it is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal and a major historic destination. The tower is part of the World Heritage Site: Monastery of the Hieronymites and the Tower of Belém in Lisbon; they were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.

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   The Tower of Belém on a rainy and misty day. The tower is one of the architectural jewels of Portugal. It  was built during the reign of King Manuel I. The domed watchtowers reflect the Moorish style that the architect had seen in North Africa. When the tower was finished in 1521, it was situated much further from the bank of the River Tagus than it is today, but the severe earthquake of 1755 changed the course of the river. Moreover, in the 19th century, the land on the north bank was reclaimed, making the Tagus much narrower. The tower is accessible via a short footbridge over the Tagus.

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   Tower of Belém in Lisbon: The delicate, Venetian-style loggia on the second floor. The tower symbolises the maritime discoveries and the colonial power of Portugal. This structure was built as part of a large defence system and as a ceremonial gateway into Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The design of the Tower of Belém was influenced by the North African and Mudéjar styles. The tower was designed by the military architect Francisco Arruda. The official name of the tower is the Torre de São Vicente. 

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   The Tower of Belém is one of the most iconic buildings of Lisbon. The tower was part of a larger defence system at the mouth of the River Tagus in Portugal. The tower was built between 1515 and 1521. This symbol of Portugal's Age of Discoveries was also erected to guard Lisbon from seabound attacks. The tower is considered the most prominent example of the Manueline style in Portugal. The tower is about 12 metres wide and 35 metres tall. 

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   The Tower of Belém is a fortified structure located in the Belém district of Lisbon. The tower is the finest example of the Portuguese Manueline style. This unique, elaborate style plays a very important role in the Portuguese art history. The style was strongly influenced by the glory of Portugal as a seafaring nation and its voyages of discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Tower of Belém is decorated with the first European stone carving of a rhinoceros.

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   The 25 de Abril Bridge viewed from the Tower of Belém, a 16th-century tower in Lisbon, built on a small island in the River Tagus. The bridge is one of the landmarks of the city. It spans the river at the narrowest point. This iconic suspension bridge is often compared to the Golden Gate in San Francisco. The bridge was inaugurated on 6 August 1966. The Tower of Belém, along with the Monastery of the Hieronymites, in Lisbon became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

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   Tower of Belém: The balcony on the first floor is decorated with sculpted crosses of the Order of Christ. One of the most famous Grand Masters of the Order of Christ was the Portuguese Prince Henry the Navigator, who was the main initiator of the voyages of discovery and made Portugal a great seafaring power in the 15th century. The Monastery of the Hieronymites and the Tower of Belém are the absolute most visited sights in Lisbon.