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Lisbon, the City of the NavigatorsPortugal's Capital is the Port from where Several Adventurers Sailed
Alongside the River Tagus is the massive Monument to the Discoveries with Henry the Navigator looking out to sea. Nearby are the Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery.
Belem at the mouth of the River Tagus once saw the departure of the flimsy ships that sailed the oceans. Not only did they cross the Atlantic, but they also sailed to the east. The Monument to the DiscoveriesThis huge monument is in the shape of a Caraval - a sailing vessel. It was erected in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. The other gentlemen trudging up either side of the 'ship' are various Portuguese discoverers and some of their regal patrons. People such as Manuel I, Alfonso V, Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Pedro Alvares Cabral (the discoverer of Brazil). The Tower of BelemOne of the most easily recognized features of Lisbon is the sixteenth century Tower of Belem. It is certainly one of the most photographed buildings in a City full of elegant, strange and beautifully tiled buildings. The Tower was originally in the middle of the river and built as a fortress. (The river silted up). It was the starting point for the adventurers who set off to find trade routes with the rest of the world. The small round turrets are sentry posts and the statue of the Virgin and Child on the terrace face out to sea to greet the sailors on their return. The Imperial SquareThis is a beautiful garden area with a playful central fountain. On special occasions there are light shows which makes the fountain even more impressive. It is, of course, a popular place for people to relax between sightseeing. The Jeronimos MonasteryA wonderful Gothic edifice with lacy strapwork and finials on top. It dates back to the sixteenth century shortly after the return of Vasco da Gama and was financed with "spice" money - profits from that trade. Inside is a magnificent altar-piece in silver and gold and a wonderfully ribbed and vaulted ceiling. The columns supporting the roof have intricate carvings of a nautical nature which are divided by carved rope. There are many tombs to admire, the most important being that of Vasco da Gama. In the Chancel are the tombs of Manual I (who ordered the building of the monastery) and his wife Dona Maria; and of Joao III and Catarina, which are supported by carved elephants. The National Coach MuseumSituated in the east wing of the Belem Palace (not the Tower), it has a wonderful collection of carriages. It was built in the eighteenth century to house the riding school and the royal family would sit in the gallery to watch their Lusitanian horses performing. King Carlos's wife, Dona Amelia turned it into a museum. The coaches on display come from Portugal, Italy, France and Spain and cover three centuries. There are some very plain ones, some very elegant and some, frankly, outrageous. For example, there are three huge Baroque ones that were made in Rome in the eighteenth century for the Portuguese Ambassador to the Vatican. Extravagant isn't a strong enough word to describe them. They seem to be covered in gold life-sized statues, curlicues, decorated wheels and anything else you can think of. Inside they are very plush and they each weigh about five tons! This is only a small example of some of the fabulous places to visit in Lisbon - and in the area of Belem. The city also has some wonderful shops through which to browse. For more information about Lisbon log on to the Portuguese web site. Lisbon is often a port of call for cruise liners. If staying in the city, make time to travel to Sintra and also pay a visit to the Queluz Palace.
The copyright of the article Lisbon, the City of the Navigators in Portugal Travel is owned by Barbara Bothwell. Permission to republish Lisbon, the City of the Navigators in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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