Belém Tower As the architecture of the middle ages gradually changed into renaissance architecture, Portugal discovered the New World on the other side of the oceans. The incorporation of elements from the oversea cultures lead to a typical style called: the Manueline style, of which both the Tower of Belém and the Monastery of Jerónimos is a superb example. As a symbol of the King's prestige the tower’s decoration includes all the Manueline symbols - cables encircling the building and terminating in elegant knots, armillary spheres, crosses of the Military Order of Christ and naturalistic elements such as the rhinoceros, the first such representation in stone known in Europe. The Tower of Belém was build to defend Lisbon and its river entrance. Construction began in 1514 under supervision of Master Builder, Diogo de Boytac, also in charge of the building of the Jerónimos Monastery. This is also a reason for stylistic resemblance between the two buildings. Another mayor reason is the nineteenth century restoration of both buildings.
Address: River Tejo border in Belem Tel: +35 21 301 68 92 URL: http://www.cidadevirtual.pt/mosteiro-jeronimos/belem.english.html
Saint Jorge castle East of the Baixa this brooding landmark holds a still taller hill, with the Alfama district sprawled below.
Address: Lg. do Chao Feira Tel:
Ajuda Palace This royal palace, build in the 19th century after the earthquake destroyed the old palace, has never been finished completely. It has a classical fassade and a precious library.
Address: Calcada da Ajuda, Belem Tel: URL: http://www.cidadevirtual.pt/palacio-ajuda/ingles.html
Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content of this site but
the publisher cannot be held responsible for the consequences of any errors.A number of
external links exist within the site and the publisher does not endorse any such external links.