One of the most monumental and historical place of Lisbon. Where many of the greatest Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages of discovery. Belém saw the construction of amazing monuments like the Torre de Belém, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Museu dos Coches, Palácio de Belém ... Besides those monuments, the best place for a drink and pastries is Antiga Confeitaria de Belém which has been serving delicious and memorable Pastéis de Belém (you have to try!!).
Torre de Belém was Built in 1515, was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery and for the Portuguese explorers it was the last sight of their homeland. We can see that this was built in the Manueline Style, it incorporates many stonework motifs of Discoveries, sculptures about historical figures like St. Vicent and an exotic rhinoceros.
Torre de Belém was declared a World heritage monument and UNESCO says:
"It is a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world."
Founded in 1501, the wonderful Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, which was founded by King Manuel I in celebration of successful Portuguese voyages around the world, is a amazing monument to the Age of Discovery and this UNESCO World Heritage is a supreme example of the Manueline style of building. In 1496, King Manuel I (1495 - 1521) asked the pope for permission to build a great monastery in thanks to the Virgin MAry for Vasco de Gama's sucessful voyage to India since the request was granted then the construction began.
Many of the greatest figures in Portuguese history are said to be entombed at the monastery (the most famous is Vasco da Gama – one of those explorers that mebarked on discovery’s voyages). The Portuguese also maintain Luís Vaz de Camões, author of the epic Os Lusíadas (The Lusiads), in which he glorified the triumphs of his compatriots, is buried there as well. Both tombs rest on the backs of lions.
Museu dos Coches offers to you the greatest world collection of royal coaches (dating from 17th to late 19th century, which is localized in the old Royal Riding Arena of Palácio de Belém. Most of the coaches are still very well preserved and some of them are a complete luxury, golden covered and decorated with amazing detailed sculptures. Inside the museum while the first and larger room is well organized, where curiously the coaches are put chronologically, we can realize also that the last room is too packed and you barely can walk around them. That’s why there are current plans to move the museum to a new and larger building.
The Palácio de Belém is the official residence of Portugal’s president since 1910. Built in 1559 and changed in the 18th century by king João V.
Curiously, in 1755 King José I was inside the palace when a huge earthquake was felt only to a slight extent and fortunately, like most buildings in this area, it was not severely damaged. We can still find there its richly furnished halls, carvings, tiles and numerous works of art.
The Presidency Museum is the only part of the palace that can be visited everyday (except Mondays). It tells the story of the Portuguese Republic and its Presidents with a permanent collection explaining the history of the nationals symbols and the role of the presidents through photographs.
In front of the palace there is a square with well-tended gardens and a statue of Afonso de Albuquerque.
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