Belém

Today we hit three a Bermuda Triangle of tourist sights in close proximity to one of each other: the Belém Tower, Explorer’s Monument, and Jeronimo’s Monastery. All three were in the town of Belém, just a quick train ride west from Lisbon.

Because it was Sunday, Belém Tower was free. Because there was an extremely long line, we chose not to go inside. I did have fun outside snapping pictures alongside Stacey, though. Apparently, for hundreds of years that tower – more in the water than on the coast – was the last glimpse of Portugal that departing sailors and soldiers would see when leaving their homeland, and the first they could spot if they made it back.

After that was a quick bite to eat before seeing the Explorer’s Monument. An obelisk several stories high with enormous stone figures of Portugal’s great men of exploration and influence, it was just as impressive display as the Tower of Belem, but in an altogether different way. Viewing such a monument where I am no larger than a kneeling king’s toe does much to provide an awe-inspiring experience. By the way – that’s Stacey in the bottom right corner there. It took 9 shots to get the entire monument to fit into a picture.

After our ogling was wrapped up, we made our way across the street inland to see Jeronimo’s Monastery. I feel redundant by describing every sight I see as being breathtaking, but I have never been so captivated by this quantity of sights in a single day. Jeronimo’s Monastery was definitely the highlight of the three, and the single most impressive piece of architecture I’ve seen. There is little to say about it that would not be said much better through pictures, which you can check out here.

On the way out, we passed a pastry shop that opened in 1877, and has been famous for their custard pies ever since. Stacey and I got one each and, after going through the routine of sprinkling them with powdered sugar and cinnamon, both concluded that there was good reason for their substantial fame and out-the-door lines.