Santa Maria de Belém
Encyclopedia
Santa Maria de Belém, or just Belém (ˈsɐ̃tɐ mɐˈɾiɐ dɨ bɨˈlɐ̃ȷ̃), whose name is derived from the Portuguese
word for Bethlehem
, is a civil parish
of the municipality of Lisbon
, in central Portugal
. At the mouth of the Tagus River it is located six kilometres west of the city centre and two kilometres west of Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge).
The first settlement of this region dates back to the Paleolithic
, from archaeological evidence discovered along margins of the river courses.
established, during the reign of Afonso III of Portugal
the royal inventory determined that settlement was dispersed, occupying many of the lowlands lands on the avails of agriculture. The connection of Belém to the neighbouring Lisbon was cemented by a bridge, at Alcântara.
Belém's proximity to the Tagus River also influenced the development of commercial activities in the small village, especially in the Aldeia do Restelo, which attracted marines and seafarers, rather travelling to Lisbon. In the 14th century, settled Moors
cultivated the lands and serviced the city; other Moors, both free and slave, would work in the fishing industry. The settlement of Restelo slowly grew towards Lisbon.
It was "to give religious and spiritual support" that the Infante Henrique, as Governor in the Order of Christ
moved to construct, near the fishing port, a small church to the invocation of the Santa Maria. In addition, the Infante ordered the construction of a fountain and animal trough to provide water to humans and animals (18 September 1460). The foundation of the Church and Monastery by Manuel I
on the site of the older church, resulted in its transfer from the Order of Christ to the Hieronymite monks, at the same time being renamed to the invocation of Santa Maria de Belém. The construction of the monastery was a project conceived prior to the arrival of Vasco da Gama's epic voyage (rather then as a homage to it), conceived in 1495 in the courts of Montemor-o-Novo just after Manuel ascended the throne, as a Pantheon to Iberian Kings he believed would follow in his footsteps. In fact, construction was delayed, revised and completed, but never became a dynastic resting-place for Royal families of Portugal.
The same monarch, in the words of Damiam de Góis ordered the construction on the rocks deposited in the Tagus a "a tower of four platforms", giving rise to the baluartes of the Torre of Belém
.
After these two construction projects, a number of estates started popping-up, both agricultural and summer homes. As the population continued to slowly grow, new convents appeared. The nature of the suburb changed, and even Friar
Nicolau de Oliveira (1620) began to indicate that it was within the city limits. Between 1551 and 1591 (as noted by Vieira da Silva) the civil parish of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda
was established, consisting of a vast territory, one of its clergy installed in the Monastery of Belém.
In 1770, the ecclesiastical parish of São Pedro de Alcântara was established, that included the territory east of the Alcântra River, de-annexing it from Ajuda. Also in the reign of Joseph, the barrio of Belém was officially instituted (judicial and administrative authority), which included the ecclesiastical parish of Ajuda, part of Alcântra and Santa Isabel, as well as the parishes of Benfica, Belas, Barcarena and Carnaxide.
During the 1755 Lisbon earthquake
(1 November 1755), Belém and Ajuda were the areas that were least affected by the earthquake and tsunami. In fact, many of the survivors who lost homes were installed in numerous tents and shacks in the region. The King (Joseph of Portugal) and the court transferred the royal household to a shacks located in the Royal estates, in the area that would later be transformed into the Ajuda National Palace
. The move of the King and his first Minister, and Secretary of State for the Kingdom's Businesses (the Marquess of Pombal
), made the Belém-Ajuda axis during the third quarter of the 18th century, the centre of the bureaucracy and attracting commerce. A military presence was also important; during this time, two regimental infantry barracks, under the Count of Lippe, and a cavalry regiment, under Mecklenburg. These events consolidated the integration of Belém-Ajuda into the city of Lisbon.
During the latter part of the 18th century, the monarchy slowly extricated itself from the zone of Belém-Ajuda. In 1794, the Royal Shack was burned down in a fire in Ajuda, forcing the Royal Family to abandon the location and take-up residency in the Queluz National Palace
. But, even the construction of the Ajuda National Palace
did not impede the Royal Family's move towards Lisbon, since the lack of moneys delayed its completion and the French Invasion during the 19th century, resulted in the Royal Family's escape to Rio de Janeiro. But, when they did return (in 1821), King John IV
installed the family in the Necessidades and Bemposta Palace
s.
Belém then evolved into an industrial zone, attracting factories and merchants, in particular around the zone of Pedrouços and Bom Sucesso, such as tanneries, metal-stampers, glass-makers, earthenware manufacturers, textile-makers and woollenware producers.
On 28 December 1833, the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém was institutionalized, with its seat in the Jerónimos Monastery (that included the parish of Ajuda. The industrialization that started during this period continued throughout the 19th century; an 1881 inquiry, established that 25 factories produced goods in the Alcântara-Belém region, emplying 1215 men, 812 women and 432 minors. This growth attract new residents and social housing started to be constructed to support the manufacturing industry. Belém experienced a greater level of autonomy: between 11 September 1852 and 18 June 1885, a municipality of Belém existed, presided by their first President, the historian Alexandre Herculano
, that included the parishes of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, Santa Maria de Belém, part of São Pedro de Alcântara, Santa Isabel and São Sebastião da Pedreira, in addition to Nossa Senhora do Amparo de Benfica, São Lourenço de Carnide and Menino Jesus de Odivelas. Equally, the Royal Family, King Louis of Portugal and Queen Maria Pia of Savoy
began to reside in the Ajuda National Palace.
, Belém Tower
, and Belém Palace
) began to occupy the waterfront. This included the iconic Padrão dos Descobrimentos
and the modern Centro Cultural de Belém which helped to promote tourist and cultural exploration of the north margin of the Tagus.
(in the east), Ajuda
(in the northeast), north by São Francsico Xavier and to the west by the municipality of Oeiras (Algés).
In addition to the historical buildings and avenues, Belém is the location of the Jardim do Ultramar (Overseas Garden), several blocks of green-spaces that includes the gardens of the Praça do Império (Imperial Garden), the Jardim Vasco de Gama (Vasco de Gama Garden), Afonso de Albuquerque Square
and Jardim Agricola Tropical (Tropical Garden Museum). These gardens cover a large portion of the waterfront area, encircling the buildings of the Rua de Belém, and backs onto the gardens of the Palace of Belém
.
Belém is recognized for its concentration of national monuments and public spaces, including a mixture of historical buildings and modern symbols of Portuguese culture. This juxtoposition of famous icons developed from Belém's important military position along the mouth of the Tagus; its role in the exploration in India and the Orient (the Caminho das Índias); and 17th-18th century construction of royal residences and noble estates in the parish following the destruction stemming from the 1755 earthquake and tsunami.
Belém's main street and historical avenue is Rua de Belém, a strip of 160-year buildings that have survived several years of change and modernization. This includes the famous pastry shop Fabrica de Pasteis de Belém known for a specific Portuguese confectionery: pastel de Belém (pl.: pastéis de Belém), an egg tart
made with flaky pastry.
In the heart of Belém is the Praça do Império, an avenue of open-spaces and gardens, with a central fountain, which was laid-out during World War II
. To the west of the gardens lies the Centro Cultural de Belém, built in 1992 during Portugal's term in the revolving role at the helm of the European Union presidency. It is now an arts complex, containing Belém's Museu Colecção Berardo. To the southeast of the gardens is the Belém Palace
(1770), the official residence of the Portuguese President. Five hundred metres to the east of Praça do Império lies Belém's other major square Praça Afonso de Albuquerque.
Belém is home to a number of other museums: Museu da Electricidade
(Electricity Museum), Museu do Centro Científico e Cultural de Macau (Macau
Cultural Museum), Museu de Arte Popular (Folk Art Museum), Museu Nacional dos Coches (Coach Museum), and Museu da Presidência da República (Presidential Museum).
Belenenses, a renowned sports club
from Lisbon is based in Belém.
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
word for Bethlehem
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
, is a civil parish
Freguesia
Freguesia is the Portuguese term for a secondary local administrative unit in Portugal and some of its former colonies, and a former secondary local administrative unit in Macau, roughly equivalent to an administrative parish. A freguesia is a subdivision of a concelho, the Portuguese synonym term...
of the municipality of Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, in central Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. At the mouth of the Tagus River it is located six kilometres west of the city centre and two kilometres west of Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge).
History
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
, from archaeological evidence discovered along margins of the river courses.
Middle Ages
With the Kingdom of PortugalKingdom of Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal was Portugal's general designation under the monarchy. The kingdom was located in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, Europe and existed from 1139 to 1910...
established, during the reign of Afonso III of Portugal
Afonso III of Portugal
Afonso III , or Affonso , Alfonso or Alphonso or Alphonsus , the Bolognian , the fifth King of Portugal and the first to use the title King of Portugal and the Algarve, from 1249...
the royal inventory determined that settlement was dispersed, occupying many of the lowlands lands on the avails of agriculture. The connection of Belém to the neighbouring Lisbon was cemented by a bridge, at Alcântara.
Belém's proximity to the Tagus River also influenced the development of commercial activities in the small village, especially in the Aldeia do Restelo, which attracted marines and seafarers, rather travelling to Lisbon. In the 14th century, settled Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
cultivated the lands and serviced the city; other Moors, both free and slave, would work in the fishing industry. The settlement of Restelo slowly grew towards Lisbon.
It was "to give religious and spiritual support" that the Infante Henrique, as Governor in the Order of Christ
Order of Christ (Portugal)
The Military Order of Christ previously the Royal Order of the Knights of Our Lord Jesus Christ was the heritage of the Knights Templar in Portugal, after the suppression of the Templars in 1312...
moved to construct, near the fishing port, a small church to the invocation of the Santa Maria. In addition, the Infante ordered the construction of a fountain and animal trough to provide water to humans and animals (18 September 1460). The foundation of the Church and Monastery by Manuel I
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
on the site of the older church, resulted in its transfer from the Order of Christ to the Hieronymite monks, at the same time being renamed to the invocation of Santa Maria de Belém. The construction of the monastery was a project conceived prior to the arrival of Vasco da Gama's epic voyage (rather then as a homage to it), conceived in 1495 in the courts of Montemor-o-Novo just after Manuel ascended the throne, as a Pantheon to Iberian Kings he believed would follow in his footsteps. In fact, construction was delayed, revised and completed, but never became a dynastic resting-place for Royal families of Portugal.
The same monarch, in the words of Damiam de Góis ordered the construction on the rocks deposited in the Tagus a "a tower of four platforms", giving rise to the baluartes of the Torre of Belém
Belém Tower
Belém Tower or the Tower of St Vincent is a fortified tower located in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal...
.
After these two construction projects, a number of estates started popping-up, both agricultural and summer homes. As the population continued to slowly grow, new convents appeared. The nature of the suburb changed, and even Friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
Nicolau de Oliveira (1620) began to indicate that it was within the city limits. Between 1551 and 1591 (as noted by Vieira da Silva) the civil parish of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda
Ajuda
Ajuda is a Portuguese civil parish in the municipality of Lisbon with an area and 17,961 inhabitants ; its density was 5707.3 inhabitants/km².-History:...
was established, consisting of a vast territory, one of its clergy installed in the Monastery of Belém.
Monarchy
The zone became progressively popular after King John V of Portugal acquired estates and properties in the area, in hopes of developing defenses. Carvalho da Costa (in Corografia Portuguesa) noted that "in front of Junqueira is immediately the locality of Belém, so healthy and appreciable, that the naturals and visitors, want to live there; and those for lapse of comfort can not live [there], are continuously competing frequently for that site. In it there are houses, noble estates, nobility, nobles of the first order in the Kingdom; and if the land permitted more palaces, or buildings, there would continue the city until that site".In 1770, the ecclesiastical parish of São Pedro de Alcântara was established, that included the territory east of the Alcântra River, de-annexing it from Ajuda. Also in the reign of Joseph, the barrio of Belém was officially instituted (judicial and administrative authority), which included the ecclesiastical parish of Ajuda, part of Alcântra and Santa Isabel, as well as the parishes of Benfica, Belas, Barcarena and Carnaxide.
During the 1755 Lisbon earthquake
1755 Lisbon earthquake
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, was a megathrust earthquake that took place on Saturday 1 November 1755, at around 9:40 in the morning. The earthquake was followed by fires and a tsunami, which almost totally destroyed Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, and...
(1 November 1755), Belém and Ajuda were the areas that were least affected by the earthquake and tsunami. In fact, many of the survivors who lost homes were installed in numerous tents and shacks in the region. The King (Joseph of Portugal) and the court transferred the royal household to a shacks located in the Royal estates, in the area that would later be transformed into the Ajuda National Palace
Ajuda National Palace
The Ajuda National Palace is a neoclassical monument in the civil parish of Ajuda in the city of Lisbon, centralPortugal. Built on the site of a temporary wooden building constructed to house the Royal family after the 1755 earthquake and tsunami, it was originally begun by architect Manuel...
. The move of the King and his first Minister, and Secretary of State for the Kingdom's Businesses (the Marquess of Pombal
Marquess of Pombal
Count of Oeiras was a Portuguese title of nobility created by a royal decree, dated from July 15, 1759, by King Joseph I of Portugal, and granted to Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, Head of the Portuguese Government....
), made the Belém-Ajuda axis during the third quarter of the 18th century, the centre of the bureaucracy and attracting commerce. A military presence was also important; during this time, two regimental infantry barracks, under the Count of Lippe, and a cavalry regiment, under Mecklenburg. These events consolidated the integration of Belém-Ajuda into the city of Lisbon.
During the latter part of the 18th century, the monarchy slowly extricated itself from the zone of Belém-Ajuda. In 1794, the Royal Shack was burned down in a fire in Ajuda, forcing the Royal Family to abandon the location and take-up residency in the Queluz National Palace
Queluz National Palace
The Queluz National Palace is a Portuguese 18th-century palace located at Queluz, a freguesia of the modern-day Sintra Municipality, in the Lisbon District. One of the last great Rococo buildings to be designed in Europe, the palace was conceived as a summer retreat for Dom Pedro of Braganza,...
. But, even the construction of the Ajuda National Palace
Ajuda National Palace
The Ajuda National Palace is a neoclassical monument in the civil parish of Ajuda in the city of Lisbon, centralPortugal. Built on the site of a temporary wooden building constructed to house the Royal family after the 1755 earthquake and tsunami, it was originally begun by architect Manuel...
did not impede the Royal Family's move towards Lisbon, since the lack of moneys delayed its completion and the French Invasion during the 19th century, resulted in the Royal Family's escape to Rio de Janeiro. But, when they did return (in 1821), King John IV
John IV of Portugal
|-|John IV was the King of Portugal and the Algarves from 1640 to his death. He was the grandson of Catherine, Duchess of Braganza, who had in 1580 claimed the Portuguese crown and sparked the struggle for the throne of Portugal. John was nicknamed John the Restorer...
installed the family in the Necessidades and Bemposta Palace
Bemposta Palace
The Bemposta Palace , also known as the Paço da Rainha , is a neoclassical palace originally ordered built by the Dowager-Queen Catherine of Braganza after returning to Lisbon, in the area of Bemposta, now the civil parish of Pena...
s.
Belém then evolved into an industrial zone, attracting factories and merchants, in particular around the zone of Pedrouços and Bom Sucesso, such as tanneries, metal-stampers, glass-makers, earthenware manufacturers, textile-makers and woollenware producers.
On 28 December 1833, the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém was institutionalized, with its seat in the Jerónimos Monastery (that included the parish of Ajuda. The industrialization that started during this period continued throughout the 19th century; an 1881 inquiry, established that 25 factories produced goods in the Alcântara-Belém region, emplying 1215 men, 812 women and 432 minors. This growth attract new residents and social housing started to be constructed to support the manufacturing industry. Belém experienced a greater level of autonomy: between 11 September 1852 and 18 June 1885, a municipality of Belém existed, presided by their first President, the historian Alexandre Herculano
Alexandre Herculano
Alexandre Herculano de Carvalho e Araújo , was a Portuguese novelist and historian.-Early life:...
, that included the parishes of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, Santa Maria de Belém, part of São Pedro de Alcântara, Santa Isabel and São Sebastião da Pedreira, in addition to Nossa Senhora do Amparo de Benfica, São Lourenço de Carnide and Menino Jesus de Odivelas. Equally, the Royal Family, King Louis of Portugal and Queen Maria Pia of Savoy
Maria Pia of Savoy
Maria Pia of Savoy was a Portuguese Queen consort, spouse of King Luís I of Portugal. On the day of her baptism, Pope Pius IX, her godfather, gave her a Golden Rose. Maria Pia was married to Luís on the 6 October 1862 in Lisbon...
began to reside in the Ajuda National Palace.
Republic
Belém was also the location for the development of many urban projects, such as the construction of a landfill, opening of many docks or the opening of a raillink to Cascais, which initially departed from Pedrouços. Socially, the first recreational and cultural organizations were established, and the area was a place for leisure activities. On transitioning into the 20th century, Belém had grown considerably, with the establishment of electrical services within the area and significantly with the 1940 Portuguese exhibition. The 1940 Expo resulted in the demolition of the older nucleus of Belém, the Praça do Império. and the beginning of a phase of monumental constructions which, along with pre-existing historic architecture (such as the Jerónimos MonasteryJerónimos Monastery
The Hieronymites Monastery is located near the shore of the parish of Belém, in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal...
, Belém Tower
Belém Tower
Belém Tower or the Tower of St Vincent is a fortified tower located in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal...
, and Belém Palace
Belém Palace
The Belém National Palace, or alternately National Palace of Belém, has, overtime, been the official residence of Portuguese monarchs and, after the installation of the First Republic, the Presidents of the Portuguese Republic...
) began to occupy the waterfront. This included the iconic Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a monument on the northern margin of the Tagus River estuary, in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém, Lisbon...
and the modern Centro Cultural de Belém which helped to promote tourist and cultural exploration of the north margin of the Tagus.
Geography
The southern limit of Lisbon, Santa Maria de Belém is delimited by the Tagus River estuary to the south, and the margins of the Algés and Alcântara Rivers (to the west and east respectively); it is bordered by the parishes of AlcántaraAlcántara
Alcántara is a municipality in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain, on the Tagus, near Portugal. The toponym is from the Arabic word al-QanTarah meaning "the bridge".-History:...
(in the east), Ajuda
Ajuda
Ajuda is a Portuguese civil parish in the municipality of Lisbon with an area and 17,961 inhabitants ; its density was 5707.3 inhabitants/km².-History:...
(in the northeast), north by São Francsico Xavier and to the west by the municipality of Oeiras (Algés).
In addition to the historical buildings and avenues, Belém is the location of the Jardim do Ultramar (Overseas Garden), several blocks of green-spaces that includes the gardens of the Praça do Império (Imperial Garden), the Jardim Vasco de Gama (Vasco de Gama Garden), Afonso de Albuquerque Square
Afonso de Albuquerque Square
Afonso de Albuquerque Square is a public square in the Belém district of the city of Lisbon, Portugal.The square is located in front of Belém Palace, a 17th-18th century palace that nowadays serves as residence for the President of Portugal. The square is named after the first conqueror of India,...
and Jardim Agricola Tropical (Tropical Garden Museum). These gardens cover a large portion of the waterfront area, encircling the buildings of the Rua de Belém, and backs onto the gardens of the Palace of Belém
Belém Palace
The Belém National Palace, or alternately National Palace of Belém, has, overtime, been the official residence of Portuguese monarchs and, after the installation of the First Republic, the Presidents of the Portuguese Republic...
.
Architecture
Belém's main street and historical avenue is Rua de Belém, a strip of 160-year buildings that have survived several years of change and modernization. This includes the famous pastry shop Fabrica de Pasteis de Belém known for a specific Portuguese confectionery: pastel de Belém (pl.: pastéis de Belém), an egg tart
Egg tart
The egg tart or egg custard tart is a kind of custard tart pastry commonly found in Hong Kong and other Asian countries, which consists of an outer pastry crust that is filled with egg custard and baked...
made with flaky pastry.
In the heart of Belém is the Praça do Império, an avenue of open-spaces and gardens, with a central fountain, which was laid-out during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. To the west of the gardens lies the Centro Cultural de Belém, built in 1992 during Portugal's term in the revolving role at the helm of the European Union presidency. It is now an arts complex, containing Belém's Museu Colecção Berardo. To the southeast of the gardens is the Belém Palace
Belém Palace
The Belém National Palace, or alternately National Palace of Belém, has, overtime, been the official residence of Portuguese monarchs and, after the installation of the First Republic, the Presidents of the Portuguese Republic...
(1770), the official residence of the Portuguese President. Five hundred metres to the east of Praça do Império lies Belém's other major square Praça Afonso de Albuquerque.
Belém is home to a number of other museums: Museu da Electricidade
Electricity Museum (Lisbon)
The Electricity Museum is a cultural centre that presents the evolution of Energy with a Museum of Science and Industrial Archaeology concept, where themed and experimental exhibits live side by side with a great variety of cultural events.Located in the Belém area on terrain Lisbon usurped from...
(Electricity Museum), Museu do Centro Científico e Cultural de Macau (Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
Cultural Museum), Museu de Arte Popular (Folk Art Museum), Museu Nacional dos Coches (Coach Museum), and Museu da Presidência da República (Presidential Museum).
Belenenses, a renowned sports club
Sports club
A sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...
from Lisbon is based in Belém.
Civic
- Belém TowerBelém TowerBelém Tower or the Tower of St Vincent is a fortified tower located in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal...
- constructed on the rocky outcropping/island along the northern margin of the Tagus River as part of a defensive system to protect access to the Tagus estuary envisioned by John II of PortugalJohn II of PortugalJohn II , the Perfect Prince , was the thirteenth king of Portugal and the Algarves...
, it is one of Belém's iconic symbols of the parish. Originally, the Tower of Saint Vincent , it was elaborated by Manuel I of PortugalManuel I of PortugalManuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
(1515–1520) to guard the entrance to the port at Belém. It stood on a little island in right side of the TagusTagusThe Tagus is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It is long, in Spain, along the border between Portugal and Spain and in Portugal, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Lisbon. It drains an area of . The Tagus is highly utilized for most of its course...
, surrounded by water. - Monument to the Discoveries - located on the edge of the Tagus' northern bank, this 52 metre-high slab of concrete, was erected in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. The monument is sculpted in the form of a ship's prowProwthumb|right|295pxThe prow is the forward most part of a ship's bow that cuts through the water. The prow is the part of the bow above the waterline. The terms prow and bow are often used interchangeably to describe the most forward part of a ship and its surrounding parts...
, with dozens of figures from Portuguese history following a statue of the Infante Henry sculpted in base relief. Adjacent to the monument is a calçadaPortuguese pavementPortuguese pavement , is a traditional style pavement used for many pedestrian areas in Portugal, it can also be found in Olivenza , and throughout the old Portuguese colonies such as Brazil and Macau...
square in the form of a map, showing the routes of various Portuguese explorers, during the Age of Discovery.
Religious
- Jerónimos MonasteryJerónimos MonasteryThe Hieronymites Monastery is located near the shore of the parish of Belém, in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal...
- located along the Praça do Império, across from the Padrão dos DescobrimentosPadrão dos DescobrimentosPadrão dos Descobrimentos is a monument on the northern margin of the Tagus River estuary, in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém, Lisbon...
, it was originally built to support pilgrims who travelled in the region by Henry the Navigator; expanded and elaborated from 1501 by architects for King Manuel I of PortugalManuel I of PortugalManuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
to serve as a resting-place for members of the House of Aviz-BejaHouse of AvizThe House of Aviz is a dynasty of kings of Portugal. In 1385, the Interregnum of the 1383-1385 crisis ended with the acclamation of the Master of the Order of Aviz, John, natural son of king Peter I and Dona Teresa Lourenço as king...
; and as a church for seafearing adventurers who embarked during the Age of Discovery, after Vasco da GamaVasco da GamaVasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira was a Portuguese explorer, one of the most successful in the Age of Discovery and the commander of the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India...
's successful voyage to IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Construction was funded by a tax on eastern spices, and over time came to represent Portuguese historical discoveries, becoming over time a national monument and UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage SiteA UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, housing (in addition to the religious art and furniture from its past) artefacts and exhibitions like the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia (National Archaeological Museum) and the Museu da MarinhaMaritime Museum (Lisbon)The Navy Museum of Lisbon is dedicated to all aspects of the History of navigation in Portugal. The museum is administered by the Portuguese Navy and is located in the touristic district of Belém...
(Maritime Museum) within its walls.
See also
- Jerónimos MonasteryJerónimos MonasteryThe Hieronymites Monastery is located near the shore of the parish of Belém, in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal...
- Torre de Belém
- Padrão dos DescobrimentosPadrão dos DescobrimentosPadrão dos Descobrimentos is a monument on the northern margin of the Tagus River estuary, in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém, Lisbon...
- Belém Cultural Centre
- Museu Nacional de Arqueologia
- Museu da ElectricidadeElectricity Museum (Lisbon)The Electricity Museum is a cultural centre that presents the evolution of Energy with a Museum of Science and Industrial Archaeology concept, where themed and experimental exhibits live side by side with a great variety of cultural events.Located in the Belém area on terrain Lisbon usurped from...
- Museu da MarinhaMaritime Museum (Lisbon)The Navy Museum of Lisbon is dedicated to all aspects of the History of navigation in Portugal. The museum is administered by the Portuguese Navy and is located in the touristic district of Belém...
- National Coach Museum
- Belém PalaceBelém PalaceThe Belém National Palace, or alternately National Palace of Belém, has, overtime, been the official residence of Portuguese monarchs and, after the installation of the First Republic, the Presidents of the Portuguese Republic...
- Pastéis de Nata
- Estádio do ResteloEstádio do ResteloThe Estádio do Restelo is a multi-purpose stadium in Lisbon, Portugal. The stadium has a capacity of 25,000 people and was built in 1956.It is situated behind the world-renowned Jerónimos Monastery in the Lisbon district of Santa Maria de Belém....
External links
- Blog de Santa Maria de Belém, a blog maintained by the Junta Freguesia de Belém
- Um pastel em Belém, a blog maintained by a local user