On the banks of the Tagus River in Portugal, there is a structure of amazing beauty - the Torri di Belen Tower. The great historical significance and unusual architecture make it one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
Belem Tower: History
In place of the modern tower in Lisbon, an old artillery ship originally stood. In 1514, when King Manuel I ruled the country, the construction of a defensive fortress began on this site. The completion of construction in 1520 was timed to coincide with the opening of the sea route to India by the navigator Vasco da Gama.
Gradually, the defensive functions of the fortress fade into the background. The fort is used as a beacon and customs point. In 1580, the Spaniards, led by the Duke of Alba, capture the city, the Belen Tower becomes a prison.
Initially, the tower was located a hundred meters from the coastline, but in 1755 there was a strong earthquake in Portugal. A natural disaster changed the riverbed, the Belen tower was on the shore. In the middle of the XIX century, the fortress was reconstructed. Her appearance is complemented by a niche in which the sculpture of the Virgin Mary is located - a symbol of protection and good luck for sailors.
In 1983, before preparing for the exhibition of art, science and culture, the castle was surrounded by an artificial lake. In the same year, the fortress is listed as a UN World Heritage Site.
Appearance
Torri di Belen is named after the patron saint of Portugal - Saint Vincent Belen. It consists of a medieval tower and a more modern bastion. The architect of the project was Francisco de Arruda.
Belem tower is made in Manueline style. This is a square-shaped structure that has four floors. The tower reaches a height of 35 meters. It is located on a hexagonal platform with a pointed edge in the form of the bow of a ship.
The walls of the fortress are battlements upstairs. There are guard towers with viewing windows and domed roofs on the upper terrace. Outside, the walls of the fortress are decorated with patterns and royal symbols. Three sides of the fortress have balconies on which the coats of arms of King Manuel are placed. On the fourth wall, in a niche, is a statue of the Mother of God, meeting tired travelers.
Architectural style
Francisco Arruda chose the then popular Manuelino style for the Belem tower as the main one, adding to it the features of the Moorish and Venetian decorative styles.
The decorative and architectural style of Manueline appeared at the beginning of the 16th century, during the reign of King Manuel I. It was he who played the main role in the design of the Belem tower. Portugal at that time actively uses the Gothic style, and Manuelino becomes its marine continuation.
The Manueline style of the tower can be traced in a delicate openwork molding depicting various marine symbols. The outer walls of the fortress are entwined with molding in the form of nautical ropes and knots, and the round coats of arms of the Order of the Cross adorn the balconies, which is also characteristic of manuelino.
Francisco Arruda copied Moorish features from the architecture of Morocco, where he previously worked. Patrol towers and a balustrade of a terrace near the sculpture of the Virgin Mary are decorated in this style. Domes of sentinel towers copy the domes of the minaret of a mosque in Marrakesh. Venetian style can be seen in the arched shape of the windows with loggias.
Interior
The drawbridge, which is located on the first floor, leads directly into the bastion. The decoration of this room is made in a restrained Gothic style, no frills. There are 16 niches for weapons.
Below the bastion there are small rooms, which at different times were used either to store provisions or to accommodate prisoners. A staircase near the entrance leads to the upper terrace with guard towers.
The bastion terrace leads inside the tower. On the lower three floors are rooms with a collection of furniture, as well as items from the time of geographical discoveries. The first is the governor's room, followed by the royal room with a balcony. The next room was intended for audiences. On the fourth floor there is a chapel, from here a staircase leads to the upper terrace of the tower.
Where is the Belem Tower (Portugal) located?
The symbol of Portugal - the Belem tower - is located in the historic quarter of Santa Maria de Belen. Getting to her is not a big deal. You can do this on tram number 15 or on buses numbered 49, 43, 51, 29, 27. Get off at the Largo da Princess stop, the tower is 200 meters from it.
A Cais Do Sodre train runs to the lighthouse fortress every 20 minutes, but it stops a kilometer from the attraction.
Opening hours
The tower’s season begins in May and ends in September. At this time, it is open to visitors from 10 to 18.30, daily, except Monday. From September to May, the tower is open until 17.00. The entrance fee is about 4 euros.
Conclusion
Belem Tower (Lisbon) is the pride of the country. The unusual architectural style in which the fortress is made was practically not preserved in Portugal, which makes Torri di Belen even more popular among tourists. The monumental fortification, complemented by numerous delicate and carved details, witnessed significant historical events. For many years it escorted sailors on a long journey, and the sculpture of the Virgin Mary promised good luck. Now the Belem tower is the main symbol of Portugal, which everyone must see.