Belém Tower - aerial view
1500
Tower of Belém
Thanks to the Discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries, Lisbon became the world’s main centre of commerce. In order to protect the city, King João II and King Manuel I devised a pioneering maritime system of defence for Lisbon. As part of this project, in the narrowest part of the Tagus bay (1,670 meters), D. Manuel I had the Tower of Belém built in 1514. As a result, crossfire between the two banks could be created to block the entry of enemy ships. King Manuel I wanted the Tower of Belém, located at the entrance to the kingdom’s capital, to clearly assert his power. Therefore, the king ordered his heraldry to be ostensibly displayed on the tower. These include the Royal Arms, his personal emblem the
francisco de arruda (? – 1547)
Francisco de Arruda: Portuguese architect & sculptor famed for the Belém Tower's Manueline style. Explore his innovative designs & contributions to 16th-century Portugal.
Tower of Belém (Lisbon, Portugal)
Explore Belém Tower, Lisbon’s UNESCO World Heritage Site! Marvel at Manueline architecture and relive Portugal's Age of Discovery history with breathtaking Tagus views.
About this artwork
- Title: Belém Tower - aerial view
- Artist: francisco de arruda
- Year: 1500
- Format: Square
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Where to see it: Tower of Belém
- Main color: Espresso
- Color hue: Green to Violet Spectrum
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