Belém Tower, or as locally is referred to as Torre de Belém, is a historic and very imposing tower that is standing on the waterfront at Belem near the mouth of the River Tagus, which is arguably the most iconic symbols of Lisbon, the capital city of the Portuguese Republic. Located more precisely in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém, the tower was originally conceived as a lighthouse, however it was eventually built as a defensive fortress on the orders of King Manuel I.
The tower was constructed between 1514 and 1519 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor, Belém Tower was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery, and for the sailors it was the last sight of their homeland. It is also known as the Tower of St. Vincent, which is the official name of the tower, and it was named in honor of St. Vincent, who is the patron saint of Lisbon.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because of the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries. It was commissioned by King John II to serve a dual purpose: to be a crucial part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus river and to act as a grand, ceremonial gateway welcoming visitors to Lisbon. Built from lioz limestone, the structure stands as a prominent and beautiful example of the Portuguese Manueline architectural style, reflecting the nation’s Age of Discovery.
Belem is composed of a bastion and a 30 m (100 feet), four floors tower. It has been stated that the tower was built in the middle of the Tagus on a small island near the shore, which was part of a larger defense system and now sits near the shore because the river was redirected after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In fact, the shoreline has shifted and the tower is now much closer to the land than it was originally.
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 arcade windows, delicate Venetian-style loggias, and a statue of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming, a symbol of protection for sailors on their voyages.
The interior of the bastion, with a circular staircase at the north end, has two contiguous halls with vaulted ceilings supported by masonry arches, as well as four storage lockers and sanitary facilities. On the ground floor bunker, the floor is inclined towards the outside, while the ceilings are supported by masonry pilasters and vaulted spines.
Gothic rib vaulting is evident in this casemate, the rooms of the tower and the cupolas of the watchtowers on the bastion terrace. Peripheral compartments on the edges of the bunker allow the individual cannons to occupy their own space, with the ceiling designed with several asymmetrical domes of various heights. The ancillary storerooms were later used as prison cells. The tower is about 12 meters (39 feet) wide and 30 meters (98 feet) tall.
The first floor interior contains the Sala do Governador (Governors Hall), an octagonal space that opens into the cistern, while in the northeast and northwest corners are corridors that link to the bartizans.A small door provides access via a spiral staircase to the subsequent floors.
On the second floor, the Sala dos Reis (King’s Hall) opens to the loggia overlooking the river, while a small corner fireplace extends from this floor to the third floor fireplace in the Sala das Audiências (Audience Hall). The ceilings of all three floors are covered in hollow concrete slabs. The fourth floor chapel has a vaulted rib ceiling with niches emblematic of the Manueline style, supported by carved corbels.
In conclusion, the Belém Tower stands as a powerful symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discovery and a must-see landmark for anyone on a 4-Day Vacation in Lisbon. Its Manueline architecture, rich history as a fortress and ceremonial gateway, and prominent location on the Tagus River make it a timeless and essential stop, where its enduring presence continues to tell the story of a nation that once dominated the seas, offering visitors a tangible connection to Portugal’s storied past.
