Torre de Belem (Belem Tower)

The Torre de Belem stands as one of Portugal's most recognizable monuments and a powerful symbol of the Age of Discoveries. Built between 1514 and 1519 under the reign of King Manuel I, this limestone fortress rises elegantly from the Tagus River, originally constructed on a basaltic outcrop 250 meters from the northern bank. Designed by military architect Francisco de Arruda, the tower served both as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon and as a defensive fortification protecting the city's harbor and the nearby Jeronimos Monastery. The tower combines medieval military architecture with ornate Manueline decorative elements, featuring intricate stone carvings of nautical themes, exotic animals, and royal heraldry. The structure consists of a four-story tower and a lower bastion platform, connected by narrow staircases and adorned with distinctive corner turrets topped with ribbed domes. The south facade features an elaborate loggia designed to accommodate royal ceremonies as ships departed for or returned from distant lands. Over the centuries, the tower served various purposes - fortress, customs house, lighthouse, and even a prison. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 alongside Jeronimos Monastery, it represents Portugal's maritime heritage and the spirit of exploration that made Portugal a global power in the 15th and 16th centuries.