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Belém, Lisbon One Place Study
Name
Belém Civil Parish, Lisbon Portugal (aka Lisboa, Portugal), (aka the Estrela Guia, or ‘Guiding Star’)
Geography
Area - Belém: 4.03 sq mi (10.43 km2)
By comparison, the civil parish of Belém is only one tenth of the total area of the capital city of Lisbon at 38.63 sq mi (100.05 km2)
Population
Total -16,528 (2011 Census)
Patron Saint
Santa Maria de Belém
Overview
Note: Since Lisbon is a large city with (now) 24 civil parishes, this One Place Study only addresses the one historical civil parish of Belém.
Formerly known as Restelo, Belém it is located next to the Tagus River and is a major tourist area within Lisbon today.
In the Middle Ages (500-1500) it was a rural village with agricultural and fishing activities.
It's development in the 14th Century along the Tagus River help create a safe haven for shipping, and a starting point of exploration from Lisbon.
Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) was instrumental in promoting explorations to far off ports from the waterfront there, which included explorers such as Bartholomeu Dias (1450-1500), Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521), and Vasco da Gama (abt. 1465-1524) among others.
Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) stopped here on his way back to Europe after discovering the New World in 1492.
Historical Timeline
10,000 BC (Paleolithic era.) - Belém dates back to this period in time.
14th Century
The Moors cultivated the land for produce and the sea for fish.
15th Century
Belém had a small hermitage dedicated to the ‘Nossa Senhora da Estrela’ (Our Lady of the Star), patroness of the sailors.
1492 - Santa Maria de Belem Church starts construction.
1496-1497 - King Manuel petitioned the Holy See for permission to construct a monastery.
1498 - Vasco da Gama (abt. 1465-1524) established a maritime trade route from Belém Portugal to India for the spice trade.
16th Century
1501 - The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (monastery) starts construction.
1515-1521 - Tower of Belém built to protect the entrance of of the Tagus River.
1519 - Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) leaves Belém and sails across the Pacific to the East Indies..
1524 - Santa Maria de Belém Church is completed after a 32 year construction period.
1531 - An earthquake destroyed many homes in the parish.
1559 - The palace of the Praia (Beach), Palácio de Belém is built, and has remained the official residence of the President of Portugal since 1910.
17th Century
1601 - The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (monastery) is completed.
18th Century
1755 - An 8.5 magnitude earthquake killed 30,000 people and was felt much throughout much of Portugal.
19th Century
1807 - To escape the forces of Napoleon I (1769-1821) the royal family sailed from Belém to exile in Brazil.
1833 - The civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém, including the parish of Ajuda, was institutionalized with its seat in the Jerónimos Monastery.
1837 - The small pastry shop, Pastéis de Belém opens for business. Its success is still going today.
20th Century
1902 - The Jarim Afonso de Albuquerque (Park) is opened in honor of its namesake.
1905 - The Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) opens.
1908 - King Carlos I of Portugal (1863-1908) is assassinated.
1908 - The Tagus Power Station is built, It now houses the Electricity Museum.
1922 - Pilots Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho of Portugal completed their trans-atlantic flight from Belém to Rio.
1939 - The Farol de Belém aka Belém Lighthouse is completed.
1940 - The Portuguese World Exhibition is held in Lisbon, with Belém being a center of activity.
1960 - Monument to the Discoveries is erected on the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. The Rosa dos Ventos (Compass Rose and world exploration map) aka Wind Rose Square is created in front of the monument.
1977 - The Prime Minister of the first constitutional government, Mário Soares (1924-2017), formally submitted Portugal's application for accession to the European Community (EEC).
1983 - Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém were both designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
1986 - Portugal’s entry into the EEC was formalized in the cloisters of the Jerónimos Monastery.
1989 The Belém Cultural Center starts construction.
1992 - The Belém Cultural Center was completed and is intentionally located in the same place that architect Cottinelli Telmo (1897-1948) had chosen for the Pavilion of the Portuguese at the Exhibition of the Portuguese World back in 1940.
1994 - The Monumento aos Combatentes do Ultramar (monument to overseas war) is completed.
21st Century
2012 - Until 2012, Belém had its own historic parish, named Santa Maria de Belém. In 2012 that parish merged with the parish of São Francisco Xavier, thus creating the new stand along parish of Belém.
2015 - The new modern Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) is opened to replace the outdated 1905 building across the street.
Landmarks
[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]
Note: The good thing about this parish is that the major landmarks in Belém are all within easy walking distance to each other. Most are at the water front and a few are across the main avenue. More good news for the tourist is that there is a tunnel that runs underground from one side of the avenue to the other, so no need to move your car. It will take a good day to see and absorb all the venues.
Afonso de Albuquerque Square aka Jarim Afonso de Albuquerque c.1902
Location: R. de Belém at Praça Afonso de Albuquerque
Named for the Second Governor of Portuguese India, Afonso de Albuquerque, the square is located across the street from Belém Palace that today serves as a residence for the President of Portugal.
It features a Neo-Manueline style monument by artists Silva Pinto and Costa Mota tio which is topped by a 13 foot (4 m) bronze statue of de Albuquerque.
Museu Nacional dos Coches aka National Coach Museum c.2015
Location: Av. da Índia 136, 1300-300 Lisboa, Portugal at Praça Afonso de Albuquerque
Architect: João Pedro Ludovice
This new modern museum is diagonally across from the original 1905 museum which is no longer used.
It displays 17th, 18th, and 19th century horse-drawn carriage collections of vehicles.
The museum features some extremely special horse-drawn vehicles that belonged to Philip II of Spain (1581–1598), Pope Clement XI (1641-1721), and King John V of Portugal.
Farol de Belém aka Belém Lighthouse c.1939
Location: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
This lighthouse is just a shell of its former self. It was never intended to shine light, and was constructed of stone and brick for 1940 World Exhibition.
Monumento aos Combatentes do Ultramar c.1994
Location: Av Brasilia, next to the Tower of Belém
Known as the Combatentes Ultramar (Overseas War of 1964-1971), this conflict took the lives of over 9,000 soldiers, many of whom came from the Lisbon area. The war led to the removal of Dr Antonio de Oliveira Salazar (1889-1970) and his right-wing regime that were in power from 1932-1970.
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos aka Jerónimos Monastery c.1601
Location: Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal
This 16th century Hieronymite Monastery which took almost 100 years to build started in 1501). Its ornate style reflects Portuguese kingdom's prosperity.
Two of the most famous Portuguese sons are also entombed here. Those are explorer Vasco da Gama (abt. 1465 -1524), and poet Luís de Camões (died 1580), who wrote about the great accomplishments of explorers.
The good thing about this venue is that is that there is an roadway underground walkway from the Monument of the Discoveries to the monastery, thus no need to drive from one location to the other.
Museu da Electricidade (Electricity Museum) c. unkown
Location: Av. Brasília, 1300-598 Lisboa, Portugal
Part of the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT) (next door), he history of energy comes to life in this old redbrick power and former coal burning power plant.
It features contemporary art displays along with vintage machinery that was once used to power all of Lisbon.
Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries) c.1960
Location: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
Artist: Leopoldo de Almeida
Architect: José Cottinelli Telmo
Engineer: Edgar Cardoso
Material: Steel
Located along the Tagus river where ships once departed to explore and trade with the world, this monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery (or "Age of Exploration") during the 15th and 16th centuries.
It celebrates the fifth centennial (500 years) of the death of Infante Henry the Navigator.
The monument is graced by 33 famous Portuguese figures (16 on the East side, and 16 on the West side, with Henry the Navigator at the extreme prow (front), from kings to cartographers who helped pave the way for worldwide exploration.
In alphabetical order:
António de Abreu (1480-1514) (navigator), Afonso V, King of Portugal (1432-1481), Afonso de Albuquerque (1453-1515), Pêro de Alenquer (15th century) (ships pilot)
Afonso Gonçalves Baldaia (1415-1481) (navigator), João de Barros (1496-1570) (writer)
Pedro Álvares Cabral (1467-1520) (explorer), Luís de Camões (c.1524-1580) (renaissance poet) Diogo Cão (1452-1486) (explorer), Gonçalo de Carvalho (b. / d. unknown) (missionary), Nicolau Coelho (1460-1504) (navigator), Henrique de Coimbra (1465-1532) (missionary), Gaspar Corte-Real (1450-1501) (navigator), Pêro da Covilhã (1460-1530) (explorer)
Bartolomeu Dias (1450-1500) (explorer), Gil Eanes (1395-unknown) (navigator), Pero Escobar (b. / d. unknown) (ships pilot)
Ferdinand the Holy Prince (1402-1443) (son of King John I of Portugal),
Cristóvão da Gama (1516-1542) (sea captain) (son of Vasco da Gama), Estêvão da Gama (1505-1576) (sea captain) (son of Vasco da Gama), Vasco da Gama (abt. 1465 -1524) (explorer), Nuno Gonçalves (1425-1491) (painter)
Dom Henrique (1394-1460) aka Henry the Navigator (voyage sponsor)
Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) (circumnavigator), Jácome de Maiorca (1360-1410) (cartographer)
Pedro Nunes(1502-1578) (mathematician)
Peter, Duke of Coimbra (1392-1449) (son of King John I of Portugal), Queen Philippa of Lancaster (1360-1415) Fernão Mendes Pinto (1509-1583) (explorer and writer)
Martim Afonso de Sousa (1500-1564) (navigator)
Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) (missionary)
João Gonçalves Zarco (1390-1471) (navigator), Gomes Eanes de Zurara (1410-1474) (chronicler)
Palacio de Belem (Presidential Palace) c. Early 18th Century
Location: Praça Afonso de Albuquerque, 1300-004 Lisboa, Portugal
With its Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, the Belém Palace is the official residence and office of the President of the Portuguese Republic, and has been since the republic’s founding in 1910.
Pastéis de Belém aka Pastries of Belém c.1837
Location: R. de Belém 84 92, 1300-085 Lisboa, Portugal, Up the street from the monastery.
Starting as a small shop next to a sugar refinery, and run by the nuns at the Religious of the Monastery of the Hieronymites nearby, this small bake shop has had a successful run selling its specialty Portuguese egg custard tart pastries by the thousands to a hungry crowd. Expect a long wait in line!
Rosa dos Ventos (Compass Rose) aka Wind Rose Square c.1960
Location: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal, at the Monument of the Discoveries
Architect: Luís Cristino da Silva (1896-1976)
This 50-meter wide Compass Rose which encircles a 14-meter wide map of the world during the Golden Age of Portuguese Discovery is laid at ground level.
Made of black and red lioz limestone surrounded by traditional calçada portuguesa, beige and black cobblestones, it shows Portuguese colonies and trading posts around the world during this glorious period for the nation.
Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho Monument (Biplane Monument) c.1991
Location: Jardim da Torre de Belém, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal, near Torre de Belém
This is the replica of the Fairey III-B "Santa Cruz" bi-plane that made the incredible 4,527 mile, (8,400km), 62h26m, 79 day journey (with stops) from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in 1922 flown by Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho of Portugal. It actually took three different aircraft to make the entire trip.
Their homemade sextant with an adapted artificial horizon revolutionized air navigation.
Santa Maria de Belem Church (Church of Patron Saint Santa Maria) c.1492-1524
Location: Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal, next to the monastery
Taking 32 years to construct in Gothic and early Renaissance style, this beautiful church serves the maritime sailors pray here before and after a voyage.
The columns reach up to, and integrate with the ceiling, it's amazing. Everything appears fragile but held strong during the 1755 earthquake that shock the region.
Torre de S. Vicente de Belém (S. Vincent Tower of Belém) (Tower of Belém) c.1514
Location: Jardim da Torre de Belém, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
Designed by architect Francisco de Arruda (died 1547).
Built using limestone in the Manueline style, this ornate and distinctively shaped tower was originally designed as a formidable fortress and key to the defense of harbor. Later on, its use was transformed into a lighthouse then a prison.
Inside, the tower has 5 floors backing onto a spiral staircase, canons and a rooftop terrace.
Belém tower also features a few interesting statues and carvings. One of those statues is the Statue of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming, which was seen as being symbolic of protecting the sailors. It also features carvings and statues of Rhinoceroses which was a gift from India.
Notable People
Luís de Camões (Born: Luís Vaz de Camões) c.1524/25-1580) Portuguese Renaissance Poet
Born: Lisbon, Portugal
Died: Lisbon, Portugal
Resting Place: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos aka Jerónimos Monastery
Bio Summary: Educated at the University of Coimbra, he is considered Portugals National Poet by way of his most famous work 'Os Lusíadas', which was a tribute to explorers.
Parents: Simão Vaz de Camões (c.1490-XXXX) and Dona Ana de Sá e Macedo (XXXX-XXXX)
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Prince_Henry_the_Navigator (1394-1460) Born: Dom Henrique
Born: Porto, Portugal
Died: Sagres, Portugal
Resting Place: Batalha Monastery, Largo Infante Dom Henrique, 2440-109 Batalha, Portugal
Bio Summary: Established of a school of navigation at Sagres, Portugal. He also taught newer sailors to sail, and build ships for exploration.
The epithet of 'Navigator', was a misnomer, as he himself never led any exploratory voyages himself.
He is featured at the head of the Monument to the Discoveries, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Parents: King John (João) I of Portugal (1357-1433) and Queen Philippa of Lancaster (1360-1415)
Siblings: Alfonso (1377-1461), Edward (1391-1438), Peter (1392-1449), Isabella (1397-1471), Blanche (1398-1398), John (1400-1442), and Ferdinand (1402-1443)
Spouse: None known
Issue: None known
Dom Vasco de Gama (1460's -1524) Explorer
Born: Sines, Alentejo, Kingdom of Portugal
Died: Cochin, aka Kochi, Kingdom of Cochin, India
Resting Place: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos aka Jerónimos Monastery
Bio Summary: The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama made three sea voyages to India between 1497 and 1524 which opened a sea route from Western Europe to the East.
Parents: Estêvão da Gama (1430-1497) and Isabel Sodré (1440-1473)
Siblings: Dom Paulo Da Gama (1465-1499)
Spouse: Catarina de Ataíde (1469-1532)
Issue: Dom Estêvão Da Gama (1505-1576), Dona Isabel d'Ataíde da Gama (1506-XXXX), Dom Pedro da Gama (1507-XXXX), Dom Francisco da Gama (1510-1567), Dom Cristóvão da Gama (1515-1542), Dom Álvaro d'Ataíde da Gama (1517-XXXX), Dom Paulo da Gama (1518-1533), Dona Juliana da Gama (1519-XXXX), Francisco da Gama (1565-1632)
Ferdnand Magellan (Born Fernão de Magalhães) (1480-1521) Explorer
Born: Sabrosa, Portugal
Died: Mactan, Philippines
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: Known for having led the 1519 Spanish expedition to the East Indies across the Pacific Ocean he also discovered the inter-oceanic passage (Straits of Magellan) and achieved the first European navigation to Asia via the Pacific.
He was also known for being the first to circumnavigate the globe.
Parents: Rodrigo de Magalhães (Died 1500) and Alda de Mesquita (c.1455-XXXX)
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: María Caldera Beatriz Barbosa (XXXX-1521)
Issue: Carlos de Magalhães (XXXX-XXXX)), Rodrigo de Magalhães (XXXX-XXXX)
King Manuel of Portugal I (1469-1521)
Born: Alcochete, Portugal
Died: Belém, Lisbon, Portugal
Resting Place: First - Restelo Church, Belém, Lisbon Portugal; Second - Jerónimos Monastery in 1551, along with his second wife Maria of Aragon.
Bio Summary: Referred to as 'the Fortunite', Manual ruled over a period of intensive expansion of the Portuguese Empire. He also colonized of the Americas and Portuguese India, and oversaw the establishment of a vast trade empire across Africa and Asia.
Manuel I was awarded the 'Golden Rose' by Pope Julius II in 1506 and again in 1514 by Pope Leo X.
Parents: Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu ( 1433-1470) and Beatrice of Portugal (1430-1506)
Siblings: Diogo, Duke of Viseu (1450-1484), and seven others (names unknown)
Spouse Number 1: Isabel of Aragon (1470-1498;) married 1497
Issue: Miguel, Prince of Asturias & Portugal (1498-1500)
Spouse Number 2: Maria of Aragon (1482-1517) married 1500
Issue: John (1502-1557) Later became King John III of Portugal, Isabel, Holy Roman Empress (1503-1539), Beatriz, Duchess of Savoy (1504-1538), Luís, Duke of Beja (1506-1555), Fernando, Duke of Guarda (1507-1534), Afonso (1509-1540) Later Cardinal-Archbishop of Lisbon , Henry (1512-1580) Later King Henry I of Portugal, Duarte, Duke of Guimarães (1518-1540)
Spouse Number 3: Eleanor of Austria (1498-1558 married 1518
Issue: Maria, Duchess of Viseu (1521-1577)
Sources
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Go Lisbon; https://www.golisbon.com
- ↑ Goggle; https://www.google.com
- ↑ Britannica; https://www.britannica.com
- ↑ Visit Belem; http://www.visitbelem.pt
- ↑ Lisbon; https://www.lisbon.net
- ↑ We Heart Lisbon; https://www.weheartlisbon.com
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Travel in Portugal; https://www.travel-in-portugal.com
- ↑ Trip Advisor; https://www.tripadvisor.com/
- ↑ Lisbon; https://www.lisbon.net
- ↑ Travel in Portugal; https://www.travel-in-portugal.com
- ↑ Viator; https://www.viator.com
- ↑ Minitube; https://www.minube.net
- ↑ Lisbon Lisboa Portugal; https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com
- ↑ Stuart M. Wilson; Personal Visit, June 2023
- ↑ Urbs Travel; https://www.urbstravel.com
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Britannica for kids; https://kids.britannica.com
