A historical and artistic Belém
We have visited the historical and artistic area of Belém with a beautiful panoramic of Tagus river. There, so close of Lisbon about 7kms from its western side is located Belém.
We have started the tour at Largo da Princesa, next to Torre de Belém Avenue where exist a fountain built in second half of XIX century.
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We have walked a little from Largo da Princesa. Then, we have crossed a pedestrian bridge aiming the Belém Tower.
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The Belém Tower is fascinating and at same time beautiful and makes us travelling to the time of 1520 its construction date.
At first, the main goal was to defend Lisbon of possible invasions coming from Tagus river.
Belém Tower construction started with King D. João II and later was finished by King D. Manuel I.
Most of its architectural elements are from Manuelino style referring from D. Manuel I as well as from Islamic influences.
It has also served as prison and later on as customs post, telegraph signpost and lighthouse. It is considered World Heritage Site.
The map below shows two floors (1) and (2) we have visited. The remaining floors were closed due the safety measures against Covid-19.
Upon entering in Belém Tower we climb up to the Upper Battery (1), also known as Bulwark Terrace. There, we can find Manueline elements as the Cross of the Order of Christ, the armillary spheres and also the cabins and windows in arches of Islamic influence.
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Then we go back down to the Lower Battery (2), also known Casemate. It was in this place where the artillery had strength.
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When we left the Belém Tower to the MAAT museum (museum of art architecture and technology), we came across by the Tagus river, the beautiful parks, the plane monument of Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral, museums and the Discoveries monument.
It’s about a 20 minute walk very pleasant from the Belém Tower to the MAAT museum.
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At outdoors, MAAT is a fantastic building with curves shaping the landscape to the Tagus river. Its texture covered by tiles give an impressive relief effect.
MAAT museum has been received several national and international awards in architecture.
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Interesting for us visiting MAAT was the educational experimental program for children. The experiment was to get a screw with magnet properties from electricity and the final challenge would be to drop some objects “glued” with the magnetized screw into a small hole.
And what was the result! A tie.
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After visiting the MAAT we have crossed a pedestrian bridge to other side opposite to Tagus river. Then we passed the National Coach Museum up to the residence house of the president of Portugal “ the pink house”.
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It was then time for the well-deserved lunch. We went to Algés, a neighbourhood about 3 kms of Belém. The restaurant was the seafood in Algés and the chosen plate was seafood rice. It was really delicious!
Arroz de marisco
After lunch and satisfied, we have visited the outdoors of Belém Cultural Center. Belém Cultural Center was built in 1993 and has opened leisure spaces very beautiful. It has a large conference room, venue for concerts, exhibitions and some shops around.
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Right next door is the Monastery of Jerónimos and the beautiful gardens of Belém.
The Monastery of Jerónimos was built at XVI century during the reign of D. Manuel I. Its architecture is called Manuelina referring to D. Manuel I. It belonged to Saint Jerónimo Order. It is considered World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
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We have entered at the Monastery of Jerónimos Church also from Manuelino style inspiration. It has an imposing church with huge columns height. In the church are buried important figures of the history of Portugal, like D. Manuel I as well as the navigator and explorer Vasco da Gama who discovered the sea route to India and Luís de Camões one of the great Portuguese poets.
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Right next to the exit of the church about 100 meters, is the park and Greenhouses of the Tropical Botanic Garden.
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Then we couldn’t miss going to the famous Pasteis (pastel) de Belém . The Pasteis de Belém has a rich tradition in manufacturing its pasteis since 1837. According to the story, the factory is still ´nowadays producing pastels with the same former and secret recipe. Pastels of Belém with its freshness and doughy were absolutely tasty. It can be said that it made you to want to eat more and more.
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We then have crossed the street opposite to the Pasteis de Belém. In this side is located the Thai pavilion. It was an offer from the Thailand government for the celebration over 500 years of diplomatic relations between Portugal and Thailand.
To end our tour day we went up to the Ajuda Palace about 2 kms from Pasteis de Belém.
In neoclassical style, the Ajuda Palace was home of several monarchs of the Portuguese Court.
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From our experience the tour at Belém take us to a historical and cultural at past and present time of Portugal to the world.
It is no doubt, the perfect combination of knowledge and leisure where stand out monuments, museums, parks the Tagus river and the famous Pasteis de Belém
Hopefully our experience can help visitors looking to discover this beautiful area of Belém.
Thanks to Manuel Manero for blogging recommendations and the visitors for their photos permission
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