Bethlehem: the bold splendor of empire
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Lisbon, the city of seven hills directs its gaze to the water. Those for which honor and glory arrived in distant centuries. During the sixteenth and seventeenth Portugal boasted much of the domain of the oceans and seas that made the main trade routes. Sea lanes to India, a China, commercial stations Africa or to the vast territories that now make Brazil. Portuguese sailors were eager discoverers, skillful and intrepid marine cartographers. Those days of ships and spices, draconian and inhumane slavery crossings, were anchored to the past, but Lisbon, as the capital of the empire that was, retains its legacy.
In the nearby town of Bethlehem await us fascinating buildings and interesting museums in a journey that is deserved to spend one day. Belém is enjoyed walking through the streets, always with tourists and travelers in the footsteps of the past, reveling in his famous pastry and understanding the significance of the places visited. Huge open spaces characterize the locality, which is now a neighborhood of Lisbon. In August the heat was becoming oppressive, only a slight breeze gave truce Tagus. Belém is a postcard of the "Age of Discovery", period in which Manuel I reigned over Portugal, being such achievements that became known as "The Fortunate".
It is at the top of the Torre de Belém, on the terrace, when one can admire the past
The Torre de Belém was one of the buildings built by order, a constant obsession for investing part of the wealth from the colonies in monumental buildings that have transcended the times. Height above the waters of the Tagus, this tower Manueline style coined as in the past served as a defense advanced Lisbon, complemented by a fortress that was on the opposite bank. The crossfire from both locations impossible to reach the enemy ships the same city. The visit to admire the rooms in a surprising strength for its delicate finishes. The Board of Governor, the courtroom or the Chapel await us inside. But on top of the Tower of Belém, on the terrace, when one can admire the past, cylindrical window into their booths, in which guards posted oteaban for hazards or the return of Portuguese flag ships laden with spices and products that enriched the metropolitan and forged an empire. Enjoy the view from above, is one of the crucial moments of the visit.
At the time of their construction (1514-1520) was advanced on the banks, remaining as a resplendent island of basalt on the water. And it was no accident that location, because it is against the Restelo beach, where they used the expeditions from. The passage of time changed the course of the river, bringing it closer to the edge; and the uses to which it was provided were several, going to raise taxes that the ships had to pay on arrival, or finally even in prison serving.
Siempre prefiero acercarme poco a poco a los lugares dignos de admirar, perceive from a distance, feel their ways and go capturing their details
It sometimes happens that great moments of history and fascinating stories hide curious monuments. This is the case that we can see rhino carved in stone at the Tower of Belém. His name was Ganda, and their avatars start at 1515, when a sultan gave the animal to the Portuguese governor of India. This, eager to please the Crown, referred it to Lisbon as a present for King Manuel I. Ganda the rhinoceros was a sensation, many believed that it was a legendary animal, mythical, until they could contemplate. The king even as embarking again for Rome as a gift to Papa Leon X, but the unfortunate animals drowned during a storm. His fame, however, was such that one of the gargoyles of the Tower of Belém showing his sculpture.
We walked along the Avenue of India towards the Jeronimos Monastery. Its impressive façade 300 meters in length is visible and we can admire its majesty from the gardens that serve as a prelude to the monument, in the Empire Square. I always prefer to gradually get closer to places one has to admire, perceive from a distance, feel their ways and go capturing their details as our steps lead us to meet.
Manuel I decided to lift the majestic and solemn Jeronimos Monastery in commemoration of the Glorious life of Basque Range
The greatness of the Monastery of Jeronimos is consistent with the fact that commemorates. The story goes that this location was a small chapel, that sailors used to pray before going to sea. Range Basque and his crew spent their last night on Portuguese soil waking and praying for divine protection during the journey that would lead them to discover the sea route that would link Europe with India, along the African coast. They sailed on 8 July 1847, reaching the beaches of the Indian state of Kerala the 20 May 1848. Basque de Gama had opened not only one of the most important trade routes; had drawn the charts that would make Portugal a world power, expanding to remote corners economic and cultural influences. Even today it is easy to trip over a Fernando India the Sri Lanka. King Manuel I was no stranger such a feat, so he decided to lift the majestic and solemn Jeronimos Monastery in commemoration of the glorious return of perpetual ocean.
Since one crosses the threshold of the door of the monastery, carved with scenes of Christ's birth, begin to feel the grandeur of the place. We dealt with sculptures of the royal family and reach the Church of Santa Maria de Belém. Here lie the remains of Basque Range, and the poet Luis de Camoes. Tour the building is a continual delight, with the finishes so characteristic of Manueline style again this, the greatness of their spaces, the solemnity we breathe or the serenity of the cloister fascinating. The halls of the cloister are ideal to enjoy the freshness that give, reviewing as large as we walk life stories and heard by these walls, and the inevitable passage of time left as distant events, heightening the sense of the invisible passenger in the flow of history.
The time used to hide under the sands of oblivion the names of those who built legends. And Belém, however, history is still alive
Leaving the Monastery of Jeronimos we head towards the last stop, that in which one usually visited recap and put it in stories read. We returned to the banks of the Tagus, front of the monastery, where from 1960 looks at the water Monument to the Discoveries. Raised on the occasion of 500 anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator, seeks to honor kings and sailors who gave birth to Portugal's Age of Discovery. Shaped like a ship hull, picks up the shield of the nation and a series of sculptures belonging to celebrities of those days. Can you climb to the top, and from their 50 meters, admire the coast of Belém, as the breeze caressing our faces and we admire a picture that looked similar to the sailors back home. They had to do it full of pride, satisfied with achievements, carrying a banner that lighted seas and oceans. The time used to sweep riches and hide under the sands of oblivion the names of those who built legends. And Belém, however, history is still alive, set in stone and basalt, or at least that's what I feel while the rattling tram back to Lisbon.
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From Lisbon we can easily reach Belém, in tram (number 15), on (destination Cascais) the bus (lines 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51 0 112.
[tab:highly recommended]
Besides visiting the main monuments and buildings we suggest walking through the streets, visit their shops and enjoy your food, as the famous Pasteles de Belém.
More information:<a title=»Belém» href=»http://blog.infoviajero.es/lisboa/belem/» target=»_blank»>Bethlehem</a> of Infoviajero.
Highly recommended this other blog: <a title=»Información turística sobre Portugal» href=»http://turismoenportugal.blogspot.com/» target=»_blank»>Portugal</a>
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Comments (2)
Mere
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Ganda's fate was sealed from capture. Had trod the mainland would have been decorated and exposed to lions, boars or bulls as mere amusement of palace courts, to end by gradually fade. Albrecht Dürer, fascinated by the exoticism of the rhinoceros and thanks to the accounts of others drew it beautifully. Thanks, Ricardo (on behalf of Ganda)
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Mere
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Thanks, Eduardo, that you are who wrote the report
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