Lisbon - Day 3.

Belem

Belem

Here we are in Lisbon again.
We continued to explore this lovely city so we went to Belem. Belem, the symbol of Lisbon, is placed at the entrance of Lisbon harbor. It was built in 1515th and was a guard tower of the city. To many sailors and explorers this place was the last view of their homeland. It's a pleasure to pass through the tower and see all its rooms. I can't recall how much the ticket cost, but I know it was not expensive and was worth of every cent. If you want to visit Lisbon this place is a "must see". Everyone should do a tribute to 500 years old structure which I would name "The fortress of stone lace". Check out the photos :) .

Belem

Belem

Discoveries Monument

Beside Belem tower there is the Discoveries Monument. It was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Prince Henry the Navigator's death, one of the most significant person in the history of Portugal. It represents a three-sailed ship ready to depart, with sculptures of important historical figures King Manuel, poet Camões, Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Cabral, and several other notable Portuguese people. The only female is the queen Felipe of Lancaster, mother of Henry the Navigator.

The interior can be visited. An elevator takes visitors to the top of the monument, which provides a view of the whole part of the city. Inside is an exhibition space with temporary exhibits. The pavement in front of the monument is decorated with a mosaic that represents a compass with the map of the world charted with the routes taken by the Portuguese explorers.

Discoveries Monument

Saint Jeronimos Monastery

Saint Jeronimos Monastery is the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. King Manuel 1st built it in 1502 on the site where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in Portugal in prayer before leaving for India. It was built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyage and to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for its success. Vasco da Gama's tomb was placed inside by the entrance.

Vasco Da Gamma tomb

Standing beside the tomb of Vasco Da Gamma, a great world traveler and explorer was a great honor to me. After all, every thought of travelling, past, present or future, was conceived at a time when I received the first knowledge of history, art, culture, life in general. I used to listen to the stories about the discoveries with my mouth, ears, eyes and mind opened in amazement, and the imagination working rapidly. My eyes have always been directed towards the unknown distances, and my desire grew bigger each day until I managed to set my sails into that unknown. It's all thanks to Vasco Da Gamma and to all those many wonderful people who have lived long before me and have done a lot for me.

Saint Jeronimos Monastery

Saint Jeronimos Monastery

Coaches Museum 

One of Lisbon's most visited sights, the Coaches Museum has the largest and most valuable collection in the world. Each coach is more magnificent than the other. One of the most outstanding has gilded figures on the tailgate showing Lisbon crowned by Fame and Abundance and a dragon trampling the Muslim crescent. Unfortunately taking pictures wasn't allowed so I borrowed one from the internet only to convey the splendor collected in this area.