What to see in Belem, Lisbon district, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the tower, the Jeronimos monastery, excellent examples of the Manueline style, and the famous pastry shop.
Belem tower
Located near the mouth of the Tagus River, the Belém Tower is a monument built in honor of Portuguese sailors who set off into the unknown in search of new lands to discover, sailing across the ocean towards unexplored routes.
The Belem tower was commissioned by King Manuel I, from whom the style took its name, designed by Francisco de Arruda to praise the great discoveries made by navigators, including the route to India by Vasco de Gama.
The tower was built inside the river bed, between 1515 and 1521, is now attached to the mainland on the right bank of the river, and in the past it was also used as a place used for the collection of the toll of ships in transit to Lisbon.
Jeronimos monastery
It is perhaps the most exemplary monument in Lisbon, wanted as the tower by King Manuel I, built between the beginning and the end of the 1500s.
The exquisite exterior is made up of architectural elements of exceptional beauty, typical of the Manueline style, including floral and exotic animal sculptures, mixed with recurring symbols in the art of Portuguese navigation, they also strike at first sight the access portals to admire for the richness of the details.
The interior, on the contrary, is very simple and with a single nave, to see the various chapels, including the Major Chapel, the Sacristy and the royal Pantheon.
The cloister has a square shape, with very elaborate decorations and sculptures. In the Jerónimos Monastery there are also the tombs of King Manuel I, Vasco de Gama, the navigator, Luis de Camoes and Fernando Pessoa, poets.
Belem pastry
A stop at the famous pastry pasteis de Belém is recommended to every tourist who visits the Belem district to taste excellent pastries that are baked continuously and therefore always fresh.
This pastry shop produces delicious desserts since 1837, made with jealously guarded secret recipes, known only by a few people.
It is possible to be served at the bar counter or to sit in the back room, to taste the Portuguese puff pastry and eggs, covered with icing sugar and cinnamon, a real pleasure for the palate of even the most skeptical.
