I’ll tell you about the district of Belem Lisbon.
In case you aren’t already convinced that Portugal is a travel bargain worth a check out, you will probably be. There is a few days worth of sightseeing here, and
you also can’t actually say you’ve seen Lisbon without seeing Belem.
If much of Portugal is explained by its explorer past,then here is the district to find that history. You can find manyimportant sights from Portugal’s golden age of explorers. It was from this district that quite a few of the excellent Portuguese explorers left to “discover the world”.
From downtown Lisbon, grab one of several yellow trams. If you are lucky, theymight be operating one of the the earlier yellow trams. Additionaltypically now you will be on one of the new very fast trams. It’s the line #15 which will allow you to get out for the Belem region which is about four miles from downtown.
The Monastery of Jeronimos(Mosteiro dos Jeronimos) is most likely probably the most outstanding
development within thissection. It is said that Vasco Da Gama slept in a tent and prayed on the siteof the construction
just before he left on his voyage. The monastery was constructed in 1502 by King Manuel I to commemorate that voyage. Da Gama’s tomb is inside.
The flamboyant design of this building is calledManueline type after the King that
made it. It froths with motifs from the sea in blending late Gothic and early Renaissance styles. After the monastery wasbuilt, later sailors would devote their last night here in prayer just before beginning voyages of discovery. The Cloisters inside are lovely; its columns decorated again with
ornate sea motifs.
The Belem tower looks…cute. That is not a word that should beutilized to get a fortress that wasmade centuries ago to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor, but this small white tower is as picturesque as it comes. This little fortress is likewise built in that Manueline style, and it can begenerally
applied as a symbol from the country.
The Monument towards theDiscoveries (Padrao dos Descobrimentos) is really a “new monument”. This stone representation of a ship ready to sail…with all the critical navigators of Portugal, was developed in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator.
Also go to the Ajuda Palace (Palacio da Ajuda), a luxurious royal palace, filled with furniture, tapestries, and statues.
The nearby Belem Palace wasbuilt starting inside the 16th century. It truly is now the official home of the President of Portugal, so it may be visited only on Saturdays to see its richly furnished halls.
Don’t miss the Coaches Museum(Museu dos Coches) which is part of the Belem Palace. Visits to thiscomponent of the palace aren’t limited to Saturdays. It has one of many largest collections of ornate coaches in theplanet.
All of these sites are within quickwalking distance of each other. There are many cafes inside the area.
Most of the guidebooks will advise you that the finest places for the drink and pastries (especially their (custard tarts) are the Antiga Confeitaria de Belem or the Casa Pasteis. We agree it’s worth a stop, just don’t forget that you won’t be the only tourist there.
Program to spend at least one full day in this historic
district, but do not program yourvisit for a Monday. That’s the day whena lot of with the attractions are closed. Any other day with the week, it will complete your visit to Lisbon.
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