Europe
Portugal
Lisbon
Fortress
Torre de Belém
Name:Belém Tower
Commissioned by:King Manuel I
Construction period:1514–1519
Architect:Francisco de Arruda
Height:approx. 35 meters
Visitor numbers:approx. 400,000 visitors per year
National Monument:since 1907
UNESCO World Heritage Site:since 1983

15 Fascinating Facts About Belém Tower

 

  1. Location: Belém Tower in Lisbon stands on the bank of the Tagus River and is one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks. Belém is a historic district in the west of the city, closely linked to Portugal’s seafaring history and the great voyages of discovery. Here, the river widens toward the Atlantic, which once gave this spot a particularly important role in controlling access to Lisbon.
  2. Significance: Today, Belém Tower is one of the most photographed landmarks in Portugal. For many visitors, the tower symbolizes Lisbon, the Tagus River, and Portugal’s maritime past. In 2007, Belém Tower was selected in a public vote as one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal, placing it alongside national highlights such as Jerónimos Monastery and Pena Palace.
  3. Earlier History: Even before the present tower was built, this section of the Tagus River had military importance. Under King João II, plans had already been developed to better protect the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor against attacks from the sea. Before Belém Tower was constructed, the armed Grande Nau is said to have been stationed here for a time, a heavy warship that served as a floating defensive outpost.
  4. Construction History: King Manuel I ordered the construction of Belém Tower from 1514 onward, and the main structure was probably largely completed by 1519. The tower was designed by Francisco de Arruda, who had experience with Portuguese fortifications in North Africa and incorporated those influences into the design. Originally, the structure stood on a small rocky island in the Tagus River, a few meters from the northern bank. Later changes to the riverbank, land reclamation, and the redesign of the waterfront gradually brought the land closer to the tower, so that today it appears to stand directly beside the promenade.
  5. Use as a Prison: After the Spanish takeover of 1580, when Portugal came under the rule of the Spanish crown, Belém Tower gradually lost its original role as a purely defensive structure. Until 1830, the tower was also used as a state prison, especially for political prisoners, most of whom were held in the lower level of the bulwark. Among the prisoners known by name was D. Sebastião de Matos de Noronha, the Archbishop of Braga, who opposed João IV, sided with Spain, and was arrested in 1641 for his involvement in a conspiracy against the Portuguese king.
  6. Customs Station: Belém Tower was not only used as a fortress and prison, but later also served as a customs post for shipping traffic on the Tagus River. An inscription from 1655 recalls this function and shows that the tower was also used to control trade, goods, and duties.
  7. Architecture: Belém Tower consists of a tall square tower and a lower projecting bulwark, giving it an appearance that is both elegant and defensive. Its facade is richly decorated in the Manueline style, a Portuguese form of Late Gothic architecture from the time of King Manuel I. Particularly typical are the stone ropes, meaning ship ropes carved into stone, along with intricate knots, royal coats of arms, and crosses of the Order of Christ. Also striking are the small lookout turrets with ribbed domes, which recall North African and Moorish architectural forms.
  8. Interiors: Inside, Belém Tower has a surprisingly functional layout, with narrow rooms and tight passageways. Several floors are arranged one above the other, including the Governor’s Hall, the King’s Hall, the Audience Hall, and the chapel, all connected by a narrow spiral staircase. The tower also includes practical areas such as a cistern for the water supply, storage rooms, and the former cannon positions in the bulwark.
  9. Holy Protective Figures: At Belém Tower, religious details appear alongside military and royal symbols. On the northern facade there is a niche containing Saint Vincent of Saragossa, the patron saint of Lisbon. Particularly striking is the figure of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso on the terrace of the bulwark. This figure of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child was regarded as a protective sign for safe sea voyages and a successful return.
  10. Magnificent Loggia: A large loggia opens toward the Tagus River on the southern facade of the tall tower. It resembles a prestigious ceremonial balcony and is one of the most elegant parts of Belém Tower. The loggia consists of an arcade with 7 arches, slender columns, and an ornate balustrade. It was large enough to serve as a festive stage for the royal court during the arrival and departure of important ships. From here, maritime events could be observed, guests could be received, and fleets could be ceremonially welcomed or seen off.
  11. Artillery Platform: Directly at the foot of Belém Tower lies a low fortress section that projects far into the Tagus River and once held the cannons. Its polygonal shape and broad front with many firing openings made it possible to control the entire harbor entrance. The guns were positioned so that approaching ships could be targeted early and precisely, often at a low angle just above the water’s surface. While the tall tower is the most visible part of the monument, its real military strength lay on this artillery platform.
  12. Chapel in the Defensive Tower: In the upper part of Belém Tower there is a small chapel, reached by the narrow spiral staircase. Its vault is decorated with important symbols from the time of King Manuel I, including the Portuguese coat of arms, the cross of the Order of Christ, and the armillary sphere, a ring shaped symbol of seafaring and discovery. Directly beside it were openings in the floor through which soldiers could throw stones or other projectiles down onto enemies below the tower during attacks.
  13. Rhinoceros Relief: On the northwest side of the bulwark there is a small stone rhinoceros relief, one of the most unusual details of the structure. It most likely depicts the Indian rhinoceros that arrived in Lisbon in 1515 and caused a great sensation there while the tower was being built. The animal came to Portugal as a gift from Gujarat in India, because Sultan Muzaffar II gave it to Afonso de Albuquerque, the governor of Portuguese India, who then sent it on to King Manuel I. The same rhinoceros also inspired Albrecht Dürer’s famous woodcut “Rhinoceros” from 1515, a printed image made from a carved wooden block that could easily be reproduced. Because Dürer never saw the animal himself and depicted it only from reports and a sketch, this inaccurate image ended up shaping Europe’s idea of what a rhinoceros looked like for a long time.
  14. Origin of the Name: The official historical name is Torre de São Vicente de Belém, meaning Tower of Saint Vincent of Belém. It refers to Saint Vincent of Saragossa, an early Christian deacon and martyr from Saragossa who is venerated for his steadfast faith and later became the patron saint of Lisbon.
  15. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Since 1983, Belém Tower has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Jerónimos Monastery in Belém. The designation recognizes the tower as an outstanding testimony to Portuguese seafaring, Manueline architecture, and Lisbon’s historical importance as a gateway to the Atlantic.
  • Torre de Belém in Lissabon in Portugal
  • Torre de Belém aus der Vogelperspektive in Lissabon, Portugal
  • Torre de Belém in Lissabon, Portugal, Verteidigungsturm an der Tejomündung