This photo is of Belém Tower, located in the Belém district just outside of Lisbon. I visited Lisbon for the weekend in January to escape the cold in London, and to experience a bit of Portuguese culture for the first time.
Built in the late 16th century, Belém Tower is significant because of the role it played during Portugal’s lead in the Age of Discoveries. It was used as part of a defence network of the Tagus River on which it is built, along with various other fortresses along the coastline. The tower was dedicated to the patron saint of Lisbon, St Vincent and commemorated the key expedition of Vasco de Gama.
