Belém Tower
There are no opening hours or payment to visit.
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WHAT TO SEE
A rare case of a Roman temple that went through several invasions by people who worshiped other gods.
HISTORY
Built between 1514 and 1520 by D. Manuel I
It was considered very modern at the time
It crossed fire with the old tower of São Sebastião or old tower
It was 200 meters from the shore
It barely worked as an effective defense system and in 1554 they built the tower of São Julião da Barra
The tower itself did not have a defensive function. Just a function of displaying the king's power, even through the royal brands.
When it lost its defensive function, it served as a customs post, lighthouse and even a prison for political prisoners.
There is the image of São Vicente (another name for the tower of Belém and the city's protective saint)
Governor's Room (first floor)
Where the first governor of the tower (Gaspar de Paiva stayed)
There is a cistern that collected rainwater and it is possible to see the marks of the cuts that brought water from the bottom of the well.
Kings room (second floor)
They say that the kings liked to stay there and watch the caravels
On the balcony floor it is possible to see the “massage”. Opening through which soldiers could pour hot liquid if the enemy was down there.
Next to the tower, there is a monument to Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral, who in 1922 made the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic, in the context of the celebrations of 100 years of Brazil's independence.
He left Rio de Janeiro, stopping in some cities in the northeast until Fernando de Noronha, from where he left for the island of São Vicente, close to the African coast and continued on to Lisbon.
Sacadura Cabral was the pilot and Gago Coutinho the navigator.
