Belém, Lisbon
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Belém lies on the bank of the Tagus on the western edge of Lisbon. Its historically important buildings document the most important epoch of Portuguese history. The name "Belém" is a typically Portuguese shortening of "Bethlehem". The village, which was independent until 1885, suffered very little from the effects of the earthquake of 1775; thus its historic buildings are amongst the oldest in the Portuguese capital.
Belem Map
Important Information:
Address:
Praça do Império, 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal
Transit: Tram: 15, 16, 17; Bus: 14, 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51.
Related Attractions
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April 25 Bridge
The April 25 Bridge was named to commemorate the revolution that ended dictatorship in Portugal. The bridge provides a link from south Portugal to Lisbon.
Hieronymite Convent
The Hieronymite Convent is located in Belém and is among the most famous attractions in the country. It was built in the 16th C on the site of a former chapel, long associated with naval expeditions.
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National Museum of Archeology
The dormitory was originally housed in part of the unfinished 182m/597ft long wing of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, which adjoins the Igreja de Santa Maria. In 1834, after the dissolution of the convent, the Casa Pia, an orphanage for about 800 children, was set up here. Restoration and partial renewal of this part was completed at the end of the 19th C. and today the National Museum of Archeology and Ethnology (founded in 1893), which was reopened in 1990 after several years of extensive reorganization, is located here.The museum contains a collection of archeological finds. Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman tools are displayed and explained (in Portuguese) and arranged according to their epoch. A film introduces Portuguese sites where finds have been made. The museum also contains a separate exhibition of jewelry dating from 20-150 A.D., which has been found in Portugal.
Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is housed in the western part of the former convent wing of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos as well as in the modern extension opposite. Luis I had the museum built in 1863 and it moved into its current accommodation in 1962. As the collection was started quite late most of the exhibits here are model ships and not originals. Portugal's military and colonial history until the 20th C. is documented by means of historical paintings, original nautical charts, navigational aids, weapons, portraits and busts of famous people. In addition are exhibited replicas of so called padroes, round stone pillars with the Cross of the Knights of Christ or an armillary sphere, which the Portuguese placed everywhere they landed on their voyages of discovery mainly along the African coast. Of interest are some model ships from river voyages and fishing as well as authentic rooms from the royal yacht "Améllia".Original 18th C. and 19th C. galleys can be seen in the new part of the museum, including those commissioned by Joao V, Miguel I and Maria I. Also exhibited here is the seaplane "Santa Clara", painted with crosses of the Knights of Christ, which crossed the Atlantic from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in 1922.
Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium
Between the west wing of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the modern extension of the Maritime Museum stands the Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium. It was built in 1964 according to the plans of the architect Frederico George, who was also responsible two years before for the extension of the Maritime Museum (the presentations given at 5pm are also in English and French).
Praça Afonso de Albuquerque
The Praça Afonso de Albuquerque has been laid out as a geometric park. A Neo Manueline pillar has been placed in the center, bearing a 4m/13ft tall bronze statue of Afonso de Albuquerque. Scenes from his life are depicted on the plinth.Afonso de Albuquerque (1453-1515) took part in the conquest of important trading centers for Portugal and was named as the first Portuguese viceroy of India in 1509. There he bore the significant nickname "Leao dom Mares" (Lion of the Sea). In his "Lucíados", Camoes called him "Albuquerque the Terrible".
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Monument to the Discoveries
One of Lisbon's most famous sites and tourist attractions is this well known monument which today stands on the edge of the Tagus. This famous carving is shaped like the bow of ship, with Henry the Navigator on top.
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Folk Art Museum
From the Torre de Belém follow the bank of the Tagus in an easterly direction passing the Museu de Arte Popular to the Padrao dos Descobrimentos.
Belém Tower
The Belém Tower (Torré de Belém), built in the early 16th C, is one of the most photographed sites around Lisbon. The unique four story tower faces the sea, with ramparts in the shape of a ship's bow.
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Museum of Ethnology
The Museum of Ethnology on the northern edge of the Lisbon suburb of Belém contains an extensive collection of materials and information from the former Portuguese colonies in South America, Africa and India.The modern building on the Avenida Ilha da Madeira was not officially opened until 1985; however, there is only sufficient space to show the most important exhibits on a permanent basis. The museum's collection is therefore shown as a rotating series of very interesting, technically excellent exhibitions, each based around a different theme and well worth visiting.
Parque Florestal de Monsanto
The wooded Parque Florestal de Monsanto extends across hilly land to the west of Lisbon. With the exception of some well used traffic routes, the area is very quiet and not to be recommended for long walks. The possibility of creating a popular leisure area here, close to the city, has been completely ignored up until now. However, efforts are at present being made to increase the general leisure value of Monsanto Park and to create a recreation area near to Lisbon with proper barbecue areas and pathways. With several viewpoints and well sited restaurants, a good basis is already available for new development.Monsanto Park is home to a variety of species of birds, trees, flowers, and animals.
Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira
Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira is a 17th C Renaissance style mansion built by the Mascarenha family. Members of the family still live on the site although tours of the gardens and some of the rooms are offered.
Aqueduto das Águas Livres
Aqueduto das Águas Livres is the old aqueduct spanning the Alcântara Valley. The structure features 35 arches, with the highest one reaching 62 m.
Ermida de Sao Jerónimo
By climbing up a grassed area on the Rua de Alcolena we reach the Ermida de Sao Jerónimo, which was built in 1514 according to the plans of the famous Manueline architect Diogo de Boytaca. The chapel, which looks almost like a monolith, stands out from the other remaining constructions of this epoch through its simple harmonious proportions and, above all, its restrained Manueline upper ornamentation.The building, in an exposed location, represents in principle simply a rectangular cube, whose heaviness is only tempered by the sparse decoration on the four corners and on the upper edge. The true features of Manueline design appear particularly clearly in its simplicity. The corner pillars adorned with Gothic gargoyles jut out beyond the building and taper into finely pointed turrets. The upper edges resemble nautical cabling. A slender cross rises above the Manueline portal.The impressive little chapel is generally closed; however it is worthwhile climbing up to it because of the unusual view of the Torre de Belém and the Atlantic, which appears very close from here.
Rua Vieira Portuense
It is worth viewing the row of houses along the one side of the Rua Vieira Portuense on the edge of a large expanse of grass between the Praça do Império and the Praça Afonso de Albuquerque.The narrow houses date from the 16th C. and 17th C. Compared with the many large scale and historically famous places of interest in the near vicinity, these small dwellings with their brightly painted exteriors appear cheerful and restrained. They give an impression of a life lived on the edge of great events, in which little would be gained from the heroic deeds and wealth of those days. Some of the pretty little houses are now restaurants.
Centro Cultural de Belém e Museu do Design
A new cultural center, to the west of the Praça do Império, was opened in 1993. It consists of a conference center and two concert halls with 400 and 1,500 seats respectively. A parking lot and restaurants are included in the ultra modern Centro Cultural, which was designed by Vittorio Gregotti and Manuel Salgado.Also located inside the center is the Museu do Design, with a fine collection of 20th C furnishing from the Francisco Capelo collection.
Igreja de S. José da Memória
Halfway between the botanical garden of Ajuda and the Jardim Tropical, the small Igreja de S. José da Memória stands on the Calçada da Memória. After an unsuccessful attempt on the life of José I, the king had the well proportioned cupola church (designed by the well known architect Mateus Vicente) built in 1760. Vicente also contributed to the construction of the Basilica da Estrela and the Palace of Queluz. The grave of José's Minister Pombal was transferred to the church in 1923.
Electricity Museum
Lisbon's latest museum is the Electrical Museum, in Belém. It is housed in the head office of the "Central Tejo" power station. The red and white brick building dates from the turn of the century and was designed by the French engineers Veillard and Touzet. The exhibits document such features as the street lighting in Lisbon and also deal with industrialization in Portugal.
Imperial Square
The Praça do Império, which was created on account of the world exhibition, consists in the main of a small park with accurately cut hedges depicting Portugal's different municipal coats of arms. The over sized fountain basin in the center also has coats of arms around it; on special occasions the imposing, colorfully lit fountain is turned on.
Ermida de Santo Cristo
The inconspicuous little Ermida de Santo Cristo stands not far from Restelo stadium on the Rua de Alcolena. The Manueline church, now closed, was built in 1517 by Joao de Castilho and was originally integrated into the wall surrounding the grounds of the Hieronymite monastery.
Jardim Tropical
Having thus seen the most important places of interest in Belém, and if time remains, it is worth including a visit to the Jardim Tropical or to three chapels located further to the north.
Jardim do Ultramar
The entrance of the garden planted an island of banana trees on a lake. Inside the garden are avenues of chorisia speciosa, palms and Brazilian coral trees. The formal garden opens to public occasionally.
Map - Belem
Map - Belem
Old Quarter
Lisbon
Hieronymite Convent
Belém Tower
Palácio Nacional de MafraMap of Lisbon Attractions
Lisbon Map
