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MANUELINE ARCHITECTURE
As this monument is a jewel of Manueline architecture, take some time to notice the details of this style, especially on the terrace facing the river. The most repeated designs carved in stone are knots, ropes, crosses and armillary spheres.
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ARQUITETURA MANUELINA
Sendo este monumento uma jóia da arquitetura manuelina, pare para admirar os detalhes deste estilo, especialmente no terraço virado para o rio. As imagens mais repetidas na pedra são nós, cordas, cruzes e esferas armilares.
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THE RHINOCEROS
An Indian king offered a rhinoceros to the king of Portugal in 1513 and when it arrived in Lisbon it caused great curiosity and fascination throughout Europe. Its image was sculpted into the tower (it's the first Western representation of this "exotic" animal) and later it inspired a famous drawing by Dürer which is now in London's British Museum.
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O RINOCERONTE
Um rei indiano ofereceu um rinoceronte ao Rei D. Manuel I em 1513 e quando o animal chegou a Lisboa causou grande curiosidade em toda a Europa. A sua imagem foi esculpida nesta torre (é a primeira representação ocidental deste animal "exótico") e mais tarde inspirou um famoso desenho de Dürer que se encontra agora no Museu Britânico de Londres.
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OUR LADY OF SAFE-HOMECOMING
This stone image facing the river represents Our Lady of Safe Homecoming who was believed to protect sailors.
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NOSSA SENHORA DO BOM SUCESSO
Esta imagem em pedra virada para o Tejo representa Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso que se acreditava proteger os marinheiros.
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THE TURRETS
Six turrets with small windows and a curious Moorish style surround the lower terrace. Instead of soldiers with guns, they're now occupied by tourists with cameras.
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AS GUARITAS
Seis guaritas com pequenas janelas e um curioso estilo mourisco rodeiam o terraço. Em vez de soldados armados, são turistas que agora as ocupam, para fotografar.
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THE BALCONIES
The tower has small balconies on each floor, facing all directions, but it's the one facing south overlooking the river that most impresses. It's the largest and despite being Venetian-inspired, it's adorned with Manueline elements.
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AS VARANDAS
A torre tem pequenas varandas em cada piso, viradas para todas as direções, mas é a que se encontra virada para sul, para o Tejo, que mais impressiona. É a maior e é de inspiração veneziana, apesar de ser adornada com elementos Manuelinos.
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THE CLOISTER
The small cloister is a rectangular courtyard surrounded by Gothic arches. It was used for the ventilation of the interior, releasing the smoke caused by the firing of the artillery.
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O CLAUSTRIM
O claustrim é um pequeno pátio retângular com arcaria gótica a toda a volta. Era um espaço usado para o arejamento do interior e saída do fumo resultante dos disparos da artilharia.
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THE CANNON
Sixteen cannon holes were responsible for the defense of Lisbon, as demonstrated today by the placement of the cannon.
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OS CANHÕES
Dezasseis bocas de canhoeiras eram as principais responsáveis pela defesa da cidade de Lisboa, como demonstrado pelo posicionamento de canhões.
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THE DUNGEON
The tower's vaulted lower level is a dungeon where political prisoners were held. The ceiling is so low, that it's impossible for nearly anyone to stand up.
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A PRISÃO
Prisioneiros políticos eram colocados no piso inferior. O teto é tão baixo, que é impossível alguém manter-se completamente de pé.
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THE SAINTS
Almost no one notices them, but on either side of the tower's north façade are sculptures of two saints. One of them is St. Michael whose image accompanied Vasco da Gama to India in 1498 (now on display in the Maritime Museum), and the other is St. Vincent, the patron saint of Lisbon.
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OS SANTOS
Quase ninguém nota mas nos dois lados da fachada norte da torre estão esculturas de santos. Um deles é São Miguel, cuja imagem acompanhou Vasco da Gama até à Índia (agora exposta no Museu de Marinha), e o outro é São Vicente, o santo padroeiro de Lisboa.
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THE VIEWS
From the tower are views of the Tagus estuary, of the Belém district and its monuments, especially from the terrace on the roof.
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AS VISTAS
Da torre pode observar-se o estuário do Tejo, a zona de Belém e os seus monumentos, sobretudo do terraço no topo.
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I must have taken over 50 photos at this tower, not just from outside, but also on the terrace facing the river. Although there isn't much to see in the interior, the terrace is spectacular, with all the impressive stonework. It's definitely one of the most beautiful landmarks in Europe.
--Janet; California, USA
The tower is wonderful and a nice family destination, but I don't recommend children going inside the upper floors. The spiral staircase is narrow and used to go up and down, so it's not for anxious children or even for claustrophobic adults and anyone with mobility problems. But the main attraction is the wall of the lower terrace anyway, and you won't miss much from the 10-minute video inside about the building's history and architecture. I suggest staying on the terrace below gazing at the river and at all the ornamentation of the wall. It's one of the most beautiful castles I've seen.
--Frank; Boston, USA
= A Lisbon must-see sight | A não perder em Lisboa
