Torre de Belem or Belem Tower sits at the mouth of the Tagus and guards the entrance to the city. It is another iconic monument on the Belem waterfront. The tower was built as a fortress in the middle of the Tagus in 1515-21 and it was from here that the caravels set out to discover the trade routes. 

When Manuel I came to power in 1495, he profited from the expansionary period and commissioned grandiose monuments to reflect the spirit of the time.  The tower became a symbol of Portugal’s great era of discoveries.  It was built along the Manueline style of architecture which is a Portuguese adaptation of late Gothic.  Torre de Belem and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos are believed to be the best examples of this architecture still in existence. The building now acts as home to a Museum that has many relics of the discoveries on display.

There are many museums, parks and gardens in the Belem area.  Along the attractive riverside setting can be found cafes and a promenade.

Helen

Travel Signposts Blog

When considering holiday destinations where the dollar is still well respected, Portugal comes to mind.  Portugal has been in the news a lot recently, but for the wrong reasons.  As the world press chase their scandals and stories of the missing McCann child, not much else is mentioned on the country itself.

Although Portugal is one of the oldest nation states in Europe, its history is not widely studied or known. Many travellers these days go to Portugal for two unique reasons: some have a religious ambition to visit Fatima’s shrine whilst others come in search of sun, sand and sea and they head for the stunning beaches of Algarve for their holidays.

The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Moors have all ruled Portugal at some stage in its long history. With its layers of complex history, supreme maritime explorations and conquests and periods of domestic strife, there certainly is a lot to uncover and learn of this tiny country.  Starting from Lisbon, the Belem Tower, from where the great explorers set sail and Monument of Discoveries are great reminders of its glorious past.  Then there’s the magnificent palaces of Sintra, the varied architecture and amazing painted ceramic tiles that Portugal is famous for.

Portugal is a country steeped in ancient traditions and no matter where you go, there’s always festivals or religious celebrations that add colour to your holiday experience. Portuguese wine production has also improved in quality through the adoption of modern wine-making techniques so there’s more to Portuguese wine than Mateus Rose or ports.

Helen

Travel Signposts Blog