Torre de Belém

The famous Torre de Belém was constructed as a fortified tower in the early 16th Century (Portugal's golden 'Age of Discoveries'), to defend the entrance of the river Tagus, and Lisbon. Originally, it stood some way from the coast but silting of the estuary and land reclamation have placed it just a stone's throw from the bank. Although built in the classic 'Manueline' late gothic style, much of the decoration now visible was added when the tower was renovated by the King in the 1840's. Along with many other interesting locations in Portugal, the Tower of Belém was recently classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.