The iconic limestone facade of the 16th century four storey tower and bastion of the Torre de Belem on the river Tagus Lisbon
The tower was commissioned in the 15th century by King John II to be part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. He died before the project was completed. It was King Manuel I of Portugal, twenty years later, who revisited the idea, ordering the construction of a military fortification on the southern margin of the Tagus, around the beach in Belém. The beginning of this project developed on a rocky outcropping that was situated some distance from the river, using some of the stones being collected to build the Monastery of Santa Maria de Belém. The architect, Francisco de Arruda, had previously worked on Portuguese fortifications in Morocco, so there are also Moorish-style watchtowers and other Moorish influences. Facing the river are arcaded windows, delicate Venetian-style loggias, and a statue of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming, a symbol of protection for sailors on their voyages. The Torre de Belém was completed in 1521 and was much more than a defensive position for the sailors who crossed the Atlantic or rounded the Cape of Good Hope to India; the Tower of Belem was the first sign of home and became a symbolic icon for the intrepid explorers or conscript crews.
Size: 4157px × 2761px
Location: Praça da Torre de São Vicente 1400-206 Lisboa.
Photo credit: © George Brice / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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