One evening after the day’s meetings are over, I(Chris) and friends walked along the Belém waterfront from the conference venue to a gala dinner. Here are some of the photos taken during the walk.
We started from the Fundação Champalimaud at the western end of the waterfront – the sun was setting.
The Monument to the Veterans from Overseas (Aos Combatentes do Ultramar) was the next landmark.
I believe there are soldiers standing guard at this monument from time to time.
Our next sight is the famous Torre de Belem. The tower was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
The tower was built in the early 16th century on a small island in the River Targus near the Lisbon shore.
The tower was built by the military architect Francisco de Arruda, who had already supervised the construction of several fortresses in Portuguese territories in Morocco. The influence of Moorish architecture is manifested in the delicate decorations, the arched windows, the balconies, and the ribbed cupolas of the watchtowers.
A modern waterside cafe
Continuing our walk eastbound after passing a small park, we came to a marina.
On the other side of the marina is the Altis Belém Hotel.
Then the Belém lighthouse … a historical landmark
Then, there was the Museu de Arte Popular. It has to be said that this is a sad looking building when it is compared to the others on the waterfront. Notice the black cable that runs across the facade of the entrance ? Enough said.
Our evening event was held at the Espaço Espelho d’Água – a truly beautiful place, we had an apéro followed by dinner.
Entrance to the venue.
From the terrace of the venue … there is a sculpture in a pool in front of the river
The Espaço has a small art gallery at its entrance.
… and a bar that was completely shrouded in vegetation.
On the far side of the Espaço is the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) which celebrates the Portuguese age of exploration in the 15th and 16th century. The main statue is that of Henry the Navigator.
Further into the distance, one can see the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and the National Sanctuary of Christ the King (Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei) on the hill.
If one continues to walk east (which we did not), the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is not far (see earlier post about this new landmark which we visited on another day).