On the banks of the river Tagus in Portugal is an amazingly beautiful structure - the tower Torri di Belen. The huge historical significance and unusual architecture make it one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
In place of the modern tower in Lisbon, originallystood an old artillery ship. In 1514, when the country was ruled by King Manuel I, the construction of a protective fortress began at this place. Completion of construction in 1520 was timed to coincide with the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco da Gama, a navigator.
Постепенно оборонительные функции крепости fade into the background. The fort is used as a lighthouse and customs office. In 1580, the Spaniards under the leadership of the Duke of Alba captured the city, the tower of Belen becomes a prison.
Originally, the tower was located a hundred meters fromcoastline, but in 1755 there was a strong earthquake in Portugal. A natural disaster changed the course of the river, the tower of Belen was on the shore. In the middle of the XIX century, the fortress was reconstructed. Her appearance is complemented by a niche in which the sculpture of the Virgin Mary is located - a symbol of protection and good luck for sailors.
In 1983, before preparing for the exhibition of art, science and culture, the castle is surrounded by an artificial lake. In the same year, the fortress is entered in the list of UN World Heritage sites.
Torrey di Belem is named after the patron saint of Portugal - St. Vincent Belene. It consists of a medieval tower and a more modern bastion. The architect of the project was Francisco de Arruda.
Belen Tower is made in Manueline style.This is a square-shaped structure, which has four floors. The tower reaches a height of 35 meters. It is located on a hexagonal platform with a pointed edge in the form of the bow of the ship.
The walls of the fortress are serrated at the top.On the upper terrace there are guard towers with observation windows and domed roofs. Outside the fortress walls are decorated with patterns and royal symbols. Three sides of the fortress have balconies on which the coats of arms of King Manuel are placed. On the fourth wall, in a niche, is the statue of the Mother of God, meeting weary travelers.
Francisco Arruda chose the then popular style of Manueline as the main one for the tower of Belen, complementing it with features of the Moorish and Venetian decorative styles.
Decorative and architectural style of Manuelineappeared at the beginning of the XVI century, during the reign of King Manuel I. It was he who played the main role in the design of the tower of Belen. Portugal at that time actively uses the Gothic style, and Manueline becomes its maritime sequel.
The Manueline style of the tower is traced in fineopenwork modeling, depicting various marine symbols. The outer walls of the fortress are enveloped in molding in the form of sea ropes and knots, and the balconies are decorated with round emblems of the Order of the Cross, which is also characteristic of Manueline.
Moorish features Francisco Arruda copied fromarchitecture of Morocco, where he worked before. In this style, watchtowers and terrace balustrades are decorated near the sculpture of the Virgin Mary. The domes of the watchtowers replicate the domes of the minaret of the mosque in Marrakesh. Venetian style is traced in arched windows with loggias.
A drawbridge, which is located on the ground floor, leads directly into the bastion. The design of this room is made in a restrained Gothic style, no frills. Here are 16 niches for weapons.
Below the bastion are small roomswhich at various times were used to store provisions, then to accommodate prisoners. A staircase near the entrance leads to the upper terrace with guard towers.
The bastion terrace leads inside the tower.On the three lower floors there are rooms with a collection of furniture, as well as objects of times of geographical discoveries. The first is the governor’s room, followed by a royal room with a balcony. The next room was intended for audiences. On the fourth floor there is a chapel, from here a staircase leads to the upper terrace of the tower.
Symbol of Portugal - Belem Tower - located inhistoric quarter of Santa Maria de Belen. Get to it will not be a big deal. This can be done by tram number 15 or by buses numbered 49, 43, 51, 29, 27. You need to get off at the Largo da Princess stop, the tower is 200 meters away.
The Cais Do Sodre train runs every 20 minutes to the side of the lighthouse, but it stops a kilometer from the sights.
The season of the tower starts in May andends in September. At this time, it is open to the public from 10 am to 6.30 pm daily except Monday. From September to May the tower is open until 17.00. The entrance fee is about 4 euros.
The Belém Tower (Lisbon) is the pride of the country.The unusual architectural style in which the fortress is made is practically not preserved in Portugal, which makes Torri di Belem more popular among tourists. The monumental fortification, supplemented by numerous openwork and carved details, witnessed significant historical events. For many years it took the sailors off on a long journey, and the sculpture of the Virgin Mary promised luck. Now the tower of Belem - the main symbol of Portugal, which everyone must see.
