Fascinating Belém Tower Facts
Fascinating Belém Tower Facts
Discover fascinating facts about the Belém Tower. This page delves into two distinct sections, offering essential information about Belém Tower compiled as accurate quick facts, as well as some intriguing details and interesting tidbits, presented as fun facts that you won’t find in just any article about the fortification and that’ll make you go ooh and aah…
Quick Facts about Belém Tower
- Address: Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
- Coordinates: 38° 41′ 30″N 9° 12′ 21″W
- Original Portuguese name: Torre de Belém
- Area size: 50,000 square feet (4,650 square meters)
- Height: 115 feet, (35 meters)
- Construction started and finished: 1496-1502
- Architects: Francisco de Arruda (initial design), Diogo Boitaca (Manueline elements)
- Architectural styles: Manueline, Gothic, Renaissance
- Materials used: Limestone, Lioz stone, wood
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1983
- Renowned for: Ornate Manueline architecture, symbolic gateway of the Age of Discovery, stunning views of Lisbon and the Tagus River
- Owner: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural (DGPC, Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage)
- Special events: Concerts, exhibitions, educational programs
- Number of visitors per year: More than 500,000
12 Fun Facts about Belém Tower
Forget the usual tourist fodder! Here are some jaw-dropping facts about one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal that will leave you speechless!
Earthquake Shuffle
Belém Tower originally stood on a small island. After the severe earthquake of 1755, this moved due to the changed river flow until the tower reached its current location on the river bank and the island disappeared.
A Prisoner of War… Briefly
During the Napoleonic Wars, the tower briefly served as a prisoner-of-war camp for French soldiers. However, their stay was short-lived as they managed to escape through a tunnel they dug themselves!
A Royal Rhinoceros
In the 16th century, King Manuel I of Portugal received a live rhinoceros as a gift from the Sultan of Gujarat, India. This exotic beast became a national sensation and even inspired a dedicated room in the tower – the Rhinoceros Room.
Hidden Messages
Look closely at the Manueline stonework adorning the tower. Some argue these intricate carvings depict secret messages and symbolic codes. Theories range from navigational symbols to hidden messages from the Knights Templar, adding an air of mystery to the tower’s history.
A Secret Eavesdropping Trick
The King’s Hall has exceptionally good acoustics due to the curvature of the ceiling, which allows whispers in one corner of the hall to be clearly heard in the other corner. The Portuguese kings took advantage of this and were always well informed about the content of the quiet conversations between foreign ambassadors or the latest gossip from the nobles. If you have the rare luck of finding the room deserted, just try it out for yourself…
A Tower Built on Shells
Believe it or not, the mortar used to bind the limestone blocks of Belém Tower wasn’t just any ordinary material. It was mixed with crushed seashells, a technique commonly used in Portugal at the time. This unique blend not only strengthened the structure but also provided a natural waterproofing agent, contributing to the tower’s remarkable resilience against the elements for over 500 years.
Escape from the Tower
In 1808, during the Peninsular War, a group of Portuguese prisoners managed to escape from Belém Tower. They used a rope made from their bedsheets and climbed down from a window on the second floor, demonstrating remarkable ingenuity and daring in the face of confinement.
A Tower with a Movie Star Past
Belém Tower has graced the silver screen in several films, including the James Bond movie “The Living Daylights” (1987), The Bourne Ultimatum starring Matt Damon (2007) and the Tom Hanks-led historical drama “Inferno” (2016). Seeing this iconic landmark come alive in popular culture adds another layer of intrigue and fascination to its history.
A Tower that Talks
Okay, not literally, but the tower inspired the creation of a unique language! In 2017, artist Edgar Pêra developed the “Torre de Belém Language”, a visual language inspired by the tower’s architectural elements. This innovative project allows people to communicate solely through symbols and images based on the tower’s design.
A Guardian of Time
Belém Tower has stood through centuries, witnessing countless historical events. It survived the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 almost unscathed, a testament to its remarkable resilience.
A Beacon of Innovation
While primarily a defensive structure, the tower also played a role in navigational innovation. In the 18th century, a lighthouse was installed on the tower’s southeast terrace, guiding ships safely into Lisbon harbor for centuries.
A Symbol of Hope
Belém Tower stands not just as a symbol of Portugal’s past but also as a beacon of hope for the future. Its enduring presence serves as a reminder of the nation’s rich maritime history and the power of human ingenuity and exploration.
Book Tickets to the Belém Tower in Lisbon, Portugal
Explore below your Belém Tower ticket options and pick from the finest selection:
Lisboa Card: Access up to 38 Attractions + Public Transportation
20.7K+ Reviews
€31
Tiqets
This is an absolute must for anyone travelling in, or around Lisbon!
This combo deal includes a Belém Tower Ticket and entry to the Monument to the Discoveries museum, showcasing captivating exhibits on Lisbon’s maritime heritage. Opt for an upgrade to access the viewpoint atop the monument and enjoy an intriguing and informative film!
“When I got to the tower, the tickets were sold out! I went to Google and the first result was headout. I bought my tickets quickly and easily in the queue. Right away, I told other people who were arriving without tickets. From now on I’ll use it all the time.” Rafael, Brazil, Nov, 2023 [Source: Headout]
