Bus Tour to Belem 1964 - post 6 | Focus on Photography

Lisbon hospital out the bus window

Hospital

Scaffolding on a building

Houses near Belem

Vasco de Gama monument

We saw the

Tower of Belém

The Torre de Belém was originally completely surrounded by water but over the centuries the Tagus river receded and a section has silted up. The tower is now easily accessible from the riverbank by a walkway that brings visitors right to the entrance. We visited but did not go inside the tower.

We were entranced by the Manueline architecture style (named for king Manuel I) The Manueline style is a Portuguese variant of the high Gothic style found in northern Europe but with more exuberant decorations and nautical-themed ornaments. It has sculpted balconies and fine limestone ornaments, The Monastery also has this style which is quite different from the other monument that is here.

King John II commissioned the construction of a tower in the river Tagus as part of a larger defensive bulwark. But the king died and the project was shelved until King Manuel I revived the idea in 1514. At the time the tower was known as the Torre de São Vicente (Tower of St. Vincent) as the king had put the tower under the protection of St. Vincent, Lisbon's patron saint.

The tower consists of a six-sided base with Moorish style turrets at each corner. The upper floors of the tower contained the armory and private residences - the Italianate loggia with sculpted columns and balconies with intricate carvings are part of these residences. On top of the upper floor is another terrace, which I understand offers beautiful views over Belém and the Tagus river.