Portugal Lisbon Belem Tower

The second place that we went to travel in Lisbon, Portugal was Tower of Belém, set up between 1515 and 1521, formed part of the most outstanding works of the Manuel style.
Originally, this bastion with the looks of prow of ship was located at the medium of the river. The enemy boats, which entered the estuary, knew that the national fleet was ready to make fire. During centuries, Tage was silted up and the tower became integral part of the shore.
It was built in the early 16th century in the Portuguese late Gothic style, the Manueline, to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition. This defensive, yet elegant construction has become one of the symbols of the city, a memorial to the Portuguese power during the Age of the Great Discoveries. In 1983 it was classified, together with the nearby Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The tower itself, 35 metres high, has four storeys and a terrace that offers wonderful views of the surrounding landscape.
The powder magazine is at water level. The next storeys are reached via a narrow spiral staircase. The next storey was the commander's room. The second storey has covered balconies on each side. Of the tower floors, the most interesting is the chapel of the fourth floor, with a magnificent Manueline rib vault decorated with the armillary sphere and the cross of the military Order of Christ, who participated in many Portuguese conquests. The oratory is on the top floor.

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Portugal Lisbon Jeronimos

When we travel to Lisbon, Portugal, the first place that we visited is Jeronimos or usually is called The monastery of Jeronimos " Mosteiro dos Jerónimos ", the disproportion of this old monastery of hieronymites, the harmony of its construction and the magic which it releases in do one of the most beautiful buildings of the world.
It has a very long history but I will just make it short.
Its construction was undertaken into 1500 by king Manuel 1st in an entirely Manuel style, to commemorate Vasco da Gama's successful return from India. It was originally meant as a church for the burial of the House of Aviz, but it also became a house of prayer for seamen leaving or entering port.
Construction of the monastery took 50 years to complete. Such a long time, isn't it? There were several sculptors who made their mark on this building. Nicolau Chanterene added depth with his Renaissance themes.
In 1550, another architect did some adding the main chapel such as the choir and completing the two stores of the monastery, using only Renaissance motifs. His work was continued in 1571 by Jérôme de Rouen who added some Classical elements.
The monastery withstood the Great Earthquake of 1755 but there were not too much damage.But when the building became vacant in 1833 by the abolition of the religious orders in Portugal, it began to deteriorate to the point of almost collapsing. A cupola was later added to the southwestern tower.
The inside walls of the cloister have a wealth of Manueline motives with nautical ornaments, and European, Moorish ans eastern elements.

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Portugal Lisbon The monastery of Jeronimos

The monastery of Jeronimos " Mosteiro dos Jerónimos ", the disproportion of this old monastery of hieronymites, the harmony of its construction and the magic which it releases in do one of the most beautiful buildings of the world. Its construction was undertaken into 1500 by king Manuel 1st in an entirely Manuel style.

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Portugal Lisbon The tower of Belém

The tower of Belém, set up between 1515 and 1521, formed part of the most outstanding works of the Manuel style. Originally, this bastion with the looks of prow of ship was located at the medium of the river. The enemy boats, which entered the estuary, knew that the national fleet was ready to make fire. During centuries, Tage was silted up and the tower became integral part of the shore.

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Portugal Lisbon The Trade Place

The Trade Place, it is sometimes called " Terrace of the palace ", in remembering of the palace of Manuel 1st destroyed by the seism of 1755. The place measures 180x200 meters and the buildings built by Eugenio dos Santos shelter today the post office and of the ministries. In the center sit imposingly the equestrian statue of Jose 1st, a work of the sculptor Machado of Castro (1775).

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Portugal Lisbon Monument of the Discoveries

The Monument of the Discoveries, along Tage, pays homage to the navigators. Of the Middle Age, they thought that the sea finished on darkness and chaos. But in Portugal, this maritime horizon was a call to the discovery. Turning the back on Europe which was worried only itself, Portugal wanted to conquer the unknown. It is all the pride of this country, still today.

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Portugal Lisbon Palácio Nacional da Pena

Palácio Nacional da Pena, this palace takes extravagant forms. The specialists in architecture consider that it singularly misses unit and of style. Its sleeping partner, Ferdinand of Saxony-Cobourg-Gotha, did not miss imagination to mix the styles also boldly. It had bought in 1839 the ruins of a convent and decided to set up at this place a castle worthy of a fairy tale.

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Portugal Lisbon

Lisbon Portugal is a popular destination and flights are readily available for travelers. When looking for cheap flights to Lisbon from the UK, London is usually a good bet. From London flights can be found for as little as 60 Euros at certain times of the year. British Airways, Iberia Air and TAP Air Portugal are just some of the airlines that offer cheap flights to Lisbon. Booking ahead is definitely one way to find an affordable flight as is booking last minute if flexible with dates and times.Bargain-seeking tourists have long flocked to Lisbon, typically among the most affordable of European cities.Gare do Oriente (Orient Station) is one of the main transportation hubs of Lisbon, for trains, metro, buses and taxis. Its glass and steel columns are reminiscent of palms, making the whole structure fascinating to look at (especially in sunlight or when illuminated at night). It was designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava from Valencia (Spain). Cross through the shopping mall just across the street

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