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Along the Lisbon waterfront are the two most famous monuments in Belem which stand as symbols of Portugal’s 16th century naval voyages: The Tower of Belem and the Monument to the Discoveries.
To understand the history of Portugal, we need to consider their spectacular maritime discoveries 500 years ago. Vasco da Gama was the first to sail around Africa and discover the ocean route to Asia, opening up a vast trade network that made Portugal rich. Pedro Cabral discovered Brazil in 1500, which Portugal claimed as their largest colony, and Portuguese navigators were the first to sail to China, in 1542. After the initial Portuguese discoveries other European countries joined in the hunt for colonies and the world would never be the same again. This was the beginning of the modern world and the start of global trade and communications.
The Tower of Belem, built between 1515 and 1520, is a fortress that guards the harbor and celebrates the discoveries in grand style, with its elaborate Manueline carved decorations similar to those at Jeronimos. It was built as a fortress to protect the entrance of Lisbon’s harbor and had originally been in the river as an island surrounded by water, but over time the river got narrower so the fortress is now on the shore. Another fortress used to be on the opposite side of the river to catch the enemy in a cross-fire. You can climb to upper levels for a panoramic view.
