"LISBON" a Lisbon Travel Page by Toyin

When I left Paris for Lisbon, it was to conduct some official issues with the Portugues in liason with my office in Lisbon. But, I knew, that I need to bring some pictures to my VT friends. So, I decided to have Saturday and Sunday as the official VT tour. I went round the City, thanks to Paulo the official Driver, who is now a VT member too. On sunday I visted EVORA in Portugal and Cross into Spain - Badajoz (sp)..which is the border town with Portugal..

Torre de Belém was built in the Age of the Discoveries, specifically, it was built in 1515 by Manuel, it served as the main point where Portuguese explorers embark to see the new world. The tower also serve as a fortress to guard Lisbon's harbor. The architecture is a blend of Gothic and Byzantine.

The raison d'etre is to enhance Lisboa’s defence. It was King D. João II who drew up a plan that consisted of forming a three-fortress-defence on Tejo’s estuary. Thus a fortress was constructed: Cascais's fortress on the right bank, S. Sebastião da Caparica on the left bank and Belém Tower in the water.

Torre de Belém functions variously as a customs control point, a telegraph station and even a lighthouse. It has served also as a political prison, before being classified as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

Very close to the world heritage tower is the Aircraft that was used also by the Portuguese explorer to fly solo 'round the world'.