Belém Tower, officially the Tower of Saint Vincent is a 16th-century fortification located in Lisbon that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.
Belém Tower is a 16th-century fortification located in Lisbon, Portugal. Constructed between 1514 and 1519 by King Manuel I of Portugal, it was part of his vision to provide defence along the entrance of the Tagus river. Perched on the banks of the river, this historic landmark stands out from the local landscape with its Manueline-style exterior and grandiose interior. Not only does it signify Europe’s Age of Discoveries but is symbolic of Portugal as well. Since 1983, it has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been included in the registry of the Seven Wonders of Portugal in 2007. Visitors are welcomed to visit and explore the immense history that encompasses the perimeter of this remarkable tower.