Belem Tower was built in the 16th century from limestone as part of a defense system on Tagus River and was a built as a ceremonial gate of Lisbon. This, however, is not the only reason why this tower is so famous and why it remains a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Belem Tower is a symbol of the Portuguese maritime travels during the Age of Discoveries.
A small island near the Lisbon shore
There are many stories connected to the Belem Tower. One of them, which I found particularly interesting, was due to its composition and location. If you experience the view from a close distance, you will see that it is almost along the shores of the Lisbon district of Belem. There is a wooden bridge which you can see on the left side of the photograph, and this connects the tower to the land. Legends say however, that the tower was built in the middle of the Tagus River, but after the earthquake in 1755, the river changed its flow and left the tower slightly stranded. It is interesting that the Belem Tower was originally built on a small island near the Lisbon shore.
During the day, it seems that the Belem Tower stood on the land but when the evening arrived, the water of Tagus rises and if you stand on the right hand side, you can see the Belem Tower standing alone on the island.
