Torre de Belém - Lisbon, Portugal
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neoc1
N 38° 41.502 W 009° 12.945
29S E 481237 N 4282587
The Torre de Belém is a fortified tower located at the north side of the mouth of the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal. It was used as a state prison starting in 1580. It was later used as a prison for persons of high social status until 1830.
Waymark Code: WMVD8D
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Date Posted: 04/04/2017
Views: 19
The Torre de Belém was designed in the Gothic style by King John II as a defensive structure on the Tagus River. In 1515 construction began under the direction of architects: Francisco de Arruda, Francisco de Holanda, António Viana Barreto, and António de Azevedo e Cunha. The Torre de Belém was completed in 1519. The limestone Torre de Belém has two parts, a four story tower and a bastion on the south side of the tower.
The Torre de Belém began being used as a prison in 1580 when it was captured by the Spanish forces of the Duke of Alba. It continued to be uses as a prison until 1830.
According to the chronology published at the Torre de Belém website: (
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"1580 - Serves from Fortaleza to this date. After a few hours of combat the Tower surrenders to the Duke of Alba, whose forces represented the Spanish dominion. The dungeons are now serving as a state prison".
"1640 - The dungeons of the bulwark continue to serve as political prisoners for condemned people of high social status."
According to Wikipedia (
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"After this defeat, the dungeons of the tower served as a prison until 1830."