Belem

Belem district has a special significance for the Portuguese. Here famous discoverers were starting their jorneys. Among them Henry the Navigator, Bartalameu Dias, Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama and others. They expanded the territory of Portugal and turned the country into an empire.



Over time, Portugal has completely lost its important place in the world, but the old good times are not forgotten, and therefore a grandiose monument was built in this symbolic place.


The map of discoveries




We came here early in the morning and walked along the waterfront, as it's very beautiful during sunrise.






Tower of Belem, symbol of Lisbon, is full of tourists during the day, but in the morning no one is here. The tower was built in the years 1515-1521, in honor of the opening by Vasco da Gama sea route to India.






The area is small, it is easy to get around on foot. We just walked on the waterfront, but Belem has many other interesting places.




1. The Presidential Palace (Belém Palace), is open on weekends and holidays (http://www.presidencia.pt/?idc=15&idl=2). Near is also a museum of carriages (Museu dos Soches, http://museudoscoches.pt/en/homepage/)
2. Café Pasteis de Belem, where it is believed, you can buy the best Portuguese pastries. Pure tourist place.
3. Tropical Botanical Garden (http://www2.iict.pt/jbt/)
4. Monastery of Jeronimos, of 16th century, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (http://www.mosteirojeronimos.pt/en/).
5. National Archaeological Museum
6. Planetarium, but the visit is not so easy (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1619923)
7. Maritime Museum (http://museu.marinha.pt)
8. Belem Cultural Center (https://www.ccb.pt/Default/en/Homepage)
9. Empire Square (Praça do Império)
10. Monument to the Discoveries, you can go upstairs
11. Folk Art Museum
12. Marina Doca do Bom Sucesso
13. Belem Tower, you can go upstairs (http://www.torrebelem.pt/en/)
14. Fort Forte do Bom Sucesso
15. -
16. Garden Jardim Afonso de Albuquerque
17. The ferry to the other side of the Tagus
18. Electricity Museum (http://www.edp.pt)

Getting there: tram 15E from Commerce Square, get off at Belem stop or at next one.