Portugal: The Towel of Belem

A stone's away from the Abbey of St. Jerome, on the banks of the Tagus River, stands one of Portugal's most famous monuments, the Tower of Belem. (Portuguese for Bethlehem).

It was built under Emanuel during the period of Portugal's great empire building, at the beginning of the sixteenth century.

Ever since, the white tower has been a landmark for sailors returning to Lisbon from long voyages.

It is in the style of architecture called Manueline, or Manuelino (for King Emanuel). An elaboration of flamboyant Gothic style, Manueline is characterized by masses of intricate ornament covering almost available space.

On the tower, the decoration is nautical in theme; carvings in stone of ropes seashells, anchors, symbols of Portugal's mastery of the sea.

There is also the perfect, symmetrical cross of the Order of Christ. This knightly order, founded in the fourteenth century, possessed vast wealth, and its great masters were the kings and princes of Portugal.

Prince Henry the Navigator used the revenues of the Order of Christ to support the voyages of exploration be organized, and the cross of the Order was long part of Portugal's coat of arms.

http://www.visitportugal.com/

In the 15th. century, as a result of Portugal's mastery of the sea, and its maritime exploration, Portugal established a global empire and the first Portuguese expedition to reach Malacca landed in 1507. By then, Portugal had gained possessions in Asia beside Malacca, Oceania, South America and Africa.

Today, people of mixed Portuguese and Malaccan descent based in Malacca and Singapore and they are the Kristang people.

Afonso de Albuquerque, a famous historic figure and today the historic surviving gate of the A Famosa still stand in Malacca.

Portuguese descendants in Malacca still remember the history in these videos;







In Portugal, there are many popular hotels in Albufeira, Estoril, Lisbon, Porto and other places. In Malacca, there is a Lisbon Hotel, located at D'Albuquerque Lane, Portuguese Settlement, Ujong Pasir, 75050 Malacca. Telephone Number: +6062835000

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