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Belém Tower (Portuguese: Torre de Belém, pronounced [ˈtoʁɨ ðɨ βɨˈlɐ̃j]; literally: Bethlehem Tower), officially the Tower of Saint Vincent (Portuguese: Torre de São Vicente) is a 16th-century fortification located in Lisbon that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers and as a ceremonial gateway ...
May 14, 2021 · Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) is an imposing medieval defensive tower on the northern bank of the River Tagus in Lisbon and a symbol of Europe’s Age of Discovery.
- Amy Irvine
The Tower of Belém celebrates the expedition led by navigator Vasco da Gama, who established a maritime trade route from Portugal to India in 1497–98. The Tower is also known as the Tower of Saint Vincent, in honor of Lisbon’s patron saint.
4 days ago · Purpose and Construction. In 1515, King Manuel I commissioned the construction of a monumental tower at the mouth of the Tagus River to serve multiple purposes. Firstly, it would function as a military fortification to defend Lisbon‘s harbor and protect the city from seaborne attacks.
Dec 6, 2023 · The Torre de Belém: bastion and tower. The Tower’s purpose was to protect the entrance to Lisbon’s port, joining a larger group of pre-existing defensive structures. These include the Fort of São Sebastião da Caparica and the Tower of Santo António at Cascais, which were also commissioned by Dom João II in the late fifteenth century ...
Jun 3, 2019 · Everything you need to know about visiting Lisbon's Belém Tower, including its history, when to visit, what to expect, ticket prices, and more.
Oct 21, 2023 · The Belem Tower, or Torre de Belém, was commissioned by King John II in the early 16th century as part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. The tower was built during the height of the Portuguese Renaissance, under the supervision of military architect Francisco de Arruda.
