贝伦塔（Torre de Belém）

Rising from the Tagus at Belém, the Torre de Belém was built to defend Lisbon’s harbour and to welcome the ships that returned from the Indies. Its carved balconies, ribbed vaults and stone ropes make it one of the finest examples of the Manueline style, and it is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

A fortress on the river

The tower was built between 1514 and 1520 by the architect Francisco de Arruda, on a small island in the river that has since been joined to the bank. It served both as a defensive work, with its artillery platform, and as a ceremonial gateway to the city, and it later served as a prison.

What to see

• The bastion, with its vaulted gun emplacements and carved balustrade.
• The tower itself, with its loggia, ribbed vaults and the chapel of Our Lady of Good Success.
• The views over the Tagus, the 25 de Abril bridge and the Belém waterfront.
• The surrounding riverside, with the Monument to the Discoveries a short walk away.

Visiting the tower

The tower is on the Avenida de Brasília in Belém, Lisbon. Opening hours and tickets are published on the official website, so check before your visit.

Visitor information: torrebelem.gov.pt.

Image credit: Torre de Belém, Lisbon, by Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.