Lisbon Estoril Coast Tourism Guide - Belem Lisbon

Belem Lisbon Guide & the Portuguese Age of Discovery

At the centre of Belem sits the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, the monastery built in the Manueline style and classic European Gothic from 1502 in celebration of Vasco da Gama's successful return from India. The Manueline designer Diogo de Boitaca had his hand in here, as did Spanish designer Joao de Castilho who from 1517 built the main entrance to the church. Note the usual sculptures of key Portuguese explorers such as Henry the Navigator, and move inside to find the tombs of both Vasco da Gama and the Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes. Check the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos weblink right for opening times and entrance fee details.

The choice of Museums in Belem includes two which sit within the monastery the Museu de Arqueologia (weblink right for details) and the Museu da Marinha (weblink right). This one's a centre for Portuguese Archaeology founded in 1893 and exhibits here are from as far back as the Palaeolithic Age to the Bronze Age, Roman Period, Visigothic Period and Islamic Period. The Museu da Marinha in the west wing of the monastery is the museum to head for all things Portuguese maritime history and facts on Portuguese oriental trade, the colonies and Portugal's Age of Discovery.

The Centro Cultural de Belem also on Praca do Imperio (weblink right) is a distinctly contemporary building built initially to host Lisbon's presidency of the EU in 1992. Today it's Lisbon's main centre of culture and includes the design museum with exhibits focusing on contemporary household design, as well as various photography and art galleries and serving as host for concerts. The contemporary art gallery - Museu Coleccao Berardo particularly demands your attention. Pop art is especially well represented here, and not just American favourites such as Warhol but plenty of European pop art an more. Alain Jacquet's famous 'Dejeuner sur l'herbe' (1964) is on display here, as is the best of contemporary Portuguese art. The work by the Portuguese filmmaker, muscian, artist and art critic Ernesto de Sousa in the 'Re-take' gallery is not to be missed! You'll find more enormous Paula Rega panoramas here too including 'The Barn' (1994).

The Belem Waterfront & Torre De Belem Tower

Moving down to the waterfront it's the Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) that dominates (walk under the underpass to reach it). This monolith of concrete depicts key figures from Portugal's Age of Discovery, including the enthroned Henry the Navigator to the fore. It's huge close up, reaching a height of 54 metres, and it dates from 1960 when it was built to celebrate Henry's 500th aniversary.

Further west on the waterfront sits the superbly intact and clearly Moorish influenced in design - Torre de Belem tower. Built between 1515 to 1520, with the specfic purpose of defence of the Tejo - it once stood in the middle of the River Tejo defending the mouth of the river, but the Tejo's course changed after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, so now it sits here at the waters edge. The museum list goes on in Belem including the Museu dos Coches at Praca Afonso de Alburquerque (weblink right) - here you'll find a display of old Royal Coaches if that's you're particular interest?

The Museu da Electricidade is the redbrick building on Avenida de Brasilia - the building was once an electricity generating station. There's some enormous old generators here well worth a look, plus there's often art and technology displays. The Belem area is dotted with pretty gardens including Jardim do Ultramar off Calcada do Galvao. Move just above Belem too to view the striking Palacio da Ajuda dating from the 19th century and adjacent botanical gardens. Belem also benefits from a delectible scattering of restaurants, cafes and bars.