Page 349 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

LISBON  347

used by Portuguese sailors to
explore the coast of Africa.
Henry the Navigator stands at
the prow with a caravel in hand.
In two sloping lines either side
of the monument are heroes
linked with the Discoveries.
In front of the monument is
a huge mariner’s compass cut
into the paving. The central
map, dotted with galleons and
mermaids, shows the routes of
the discoverers in the 15th and
16th centuries. Inside the
monument, an elevator whisks
you to the sixth floor, where
steps lead to the top for a
splendid panorama.
r Mosteiro dos The Torre de Belém, a landmark for sailors returning to Lisbon
Jerónimos y Torre de Belém statue of Our Lady of Safe
See pp348–9. Avenida da India. Tel 213-620 034. Homecoming, watching over
@ 727, 728, 729, 751. v 15. £ the lives of Portugal’s sailors.
t Museu de Belém. Open Tue–Sun. Closed Jan 1, The beauty of the tower lies
in the exterior decoration:
Marinha Easter Sun, May 1, Dec 25. & (free 1st Manueline ropework carved
Sun of month). 7 ground floor only.
Praça do Império. Tel 210-977 388. ∑ torrebelem.pt in stone, openwork balconies,
@ 727, 728, 729, 751. v 15. Open and Moorish-style watchtowers.
Tue–Sun. Closed Jan 1, Easter Sun, Commissioned by Manuel I, The distinctive battlements are
May 1, Dec 25. & (free 1st Sun in the tower was built as a in the shape of shields,
month). 7∑ museu.marinha.pt fortress in the middle of decorated with the
the Tagus in 1515–21. squared cross of the
The Maritime Museum was Before nearby land was Order of Christ, the
inaugurated in 1962 in the west reclaimed in the 19th emblem that also
wing of the Jerónimos monastery. century, the tower stood adorned the sails of
A hall devoted to the Discoveries much further from the Portuguese ships.
illustrates the rapid progress in shore than it does today. The space below
ship design from the mid-15th As the starting point for the terrace, which
century. Small replicas show the the navigators who set Royal coat of arms served as a storeroom
transition from the bark to the out to discover the on the Torre de and a prison, is very
lateen-rigged caravel, through trade routes to the east, Belém austere, but the private
the faster square-rigged caravel, this Manueline gem quarters in the tower are
to the Portuguese nau, or great became a symbol of Portugal’s worth visiting for the elegant
ship. There is also a display of great era of expansion. On the arcaded Renaissance loggia
navigational instruments and terrace, facing the sea, stands a and the wonderful panorama.
replicas of 16th-century maps.
The pillars carved with the Cross Vasco da Gama (c.1460–1524)
of the Order of Christ are
replicas of various kinds of In 1498 Vasco da Gama sailed around
padrão, a stone marker set up to the Cape of Good Hope and opened
denote sovereignty over the the sea route to India. Although the
new lands discovered. Hindu ruler of Calicut, who received
Beyond the Hall of Discoveries him wearing diamond and ruby rings,
are models of modern was not impressed by his humble
Portuguese ships and the Royal offerings of cloth and wash basins,
Quarters, housing the exquisitely da Gama returned to Portugal with
furnished wood-paneled cabin a valuable cargo of spices. In 1502
he sailed again to India, establishing
of King Carlos and Queen Amélia Portuguese trade routes in the Indian
from the royal yacht Amélia, Ocean. João III nominated him Viceroy
built in Scotland in 1900. of India in 1524, but he died of a fever
The modern pavilion opposite soon after. Portrait of Vasco da Gama,
houses original royal barges painted in India
and a display of seaplanes.

346-347_EW_Europe.indd 347 14/07/16 10:16 am