Maritime Museum - Belem / Lisboa (Portugal)

[Christophe]

As requested by some members, here is the first thread dedicated to my summer trip in Spain and Portugal.

I will begin with pics of Portugal military related sites.

One "must see" site is the Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha) in Belem.

Belem, very close to Portugal's capital Lisboa (Lisbon) has a particular place in Portugal's history. Belem is the place from where, on 8 July 1497, Vasco de Gama, the great explorer, has begun his trip that made him discover the Indies Route (La Route des Indes).

Before they leave, the night before, Vasco de Gama and his troops have been in deep meditation in a chapel built by Henri the Navigator.

This chapel is now the basis of the Maritime Museum, which gives a tribute to explorers of the Portugal.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

The chapel, now entrance of the Maritime Museum of Belem :

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Inside the Museum.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Another inside view.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

The adjacent Monaster dos Jeronimos, inspired by the Great Discoveries and Explorations, begun in 1501. It has been built to celebrate the "Triumph of Navigation".

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

To give an idea of the area and location, here is the Belem Tower (Torre de Belem).

This tower is emblematic of the Discoveries, and a worldwide known monument. In 1515, when it was built, it stood in the middle of the water. It was both a lighthouse and a surveillance tower.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Another view.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Close-up.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Close to the Tower is an old fort, with a Museum dedicated to Portuguese Overseas Troops.

Here is the monument in memory of the Overseas Fighters. The names of them are on the wall in the background.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Entrance of the fort, now entrance of the Museum of Overseas Troops (closed when I was there).

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Back inside the Maritime Museum.

A model of one famous caravel.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Awards belonging to the Portuguese Vice-Amiral Viscount de Soares Franco (1810-1885).

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Another view.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Vice-Admiral Viscount de Soares Franco (1810-1885).

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Chris Boonzaier]

The Military musem is not bad either.

[Christophe]

Military Order of St. Benedict of Aviz.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

The Military musem is not bad either.

Absolutely.

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[Ed_Haynes]

Thanks for these, Christophe. Another stop for the travel agenda!

[Christophe]

Order of Tower and Sword.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Thanks for these, Christophe. Another stop for the travel agenda!

My summer trip (4 weeks in total) split between Spain and Portugal, was really fascinating. I had the opportunity to visit Bilbao, Guernica, Valladolid, Salamanca (Spain), Lisboa, Algarve, Sagres (Portugal), Sevilla, Cordoba, Madrid and Barcelona (Spain again).

I have still plenty of wonders in my eyes.

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[Christophe]

Order of St. Stanislas (Russia).

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy).

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Edited October 1, 2006 by Christophe

[Christophe]

Other orders and medals of Vice-Admiral Viscount de Soares Franco, including French L?gion d'Honneur.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Others.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

Sword and decorations belonging to Councilor Antonio Eduardo Vila?a.

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Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection