Page 74 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

72  LISBON AREA B Y AREA

q Torre de Belém VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

Commissioned by Manuel I, the tower was built as a fortress Practical Information
in the middle of the Tagus in 1514–20. The starting point for Avenida de Brasilia. Map 1 A5.
the navigators who set out to discover the trade routes, this Tel 213 620 034. ∑ torrebelem.pt
Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun (Oct–
Manueline gem became a symbol of Portugal’s great era of Apr: to 5pm). Closed 1 Jan, Easter
expansion. The real beauty of the tower lies in the decoration Sun, 1 May, 13 Jun, Dec 25. &
of the exterior. Adorned with rope carved in stone, it has (free first Sun of the month).
7 partial.
openwork balconies, Moorish-style watchtowers and
distinctive battlements in the shape of shields. The Gothic Transport
@ 727, 728, 729, 751. v 15.
interior below the terrace, which served as a storeroom for £ Belém.
arms and a prison, is very austere, but the private quarters in
the tower are worth visiting for the loggia and the panorama.

Armillary spheres
and nautical rope are
symbols of Portugal’s
seafaring prowess.
Renaissance Loggia
The elegant arcaded
loggia, inspired by
Italian architecture,
gives a light touch
to the defensive
battlements.

Virgin and Child Chapel
A statue of Our Lady of Royal coat
Safe Homecoming faces of arms of
the sea, a symbol of Manuel I Battlements
protection for sailors. are decorated
with the cross
of the Order
of Christ.
Kings’ room
(Sala dos Reis)

Entrance Gangway
to shore

Sentry The vaulted dungeon
posts was used as a prison until
the 19th century.
The Torre de Belém in 1811
This painting of a British ship navigating the
Tagus, by JT Serres, shows the tower further
from the shore than it is today. Land on the
north bank was reclaimed in the 19th century.

072-073_EW_Lisbon.indd 72 21/11/2016 16:03
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm