The Belém Cultural Centre seen from the Monument to the Discoveries.
The main entrance to the Belém Cultural Centre.
On weekends the Centre attracts great numbers of visitors.
In addition to the normal cultural programmes, visitors can enjoy performances by street artists as well as other forms of public art and recreation.
Originally, it was a very controversial project for its striking modern architecture designed by the Portuguese architect Manuel Salgado and the group headed by the Italian architect Vittorio Gregotti. The Cultural Centre of Belém won the International Stone Architecture Award at the Verona Fair in 1993.
The Belém Cultural Center was built to host Portugal's presidency of the European Union in 1992. Of the five modules the original design presented only three were built: the Congress Centre, the Theatre/Auditorium Centre and the Exhibition Centre.
Since June 2007 the Centre is also home to the Museum Colecção Berardo where visitors can enjoy the best of modern and contemporary art.
In this museum it is possible to find, both in the permanent presentation of the Berardo Collection and in the vast array of temporary exhibitions.
The entrance to the Museum Colecção Berardo with the piece “Nectar” of the Portuguese contemporary artist, Joana Vasconcelos.
Museum Berardo.
Modern and Contemporary Art at the Museum Colecção Berardo.
Permanent Exhibition at the Museum Colecção Berardo.
Permanent Exhibition at the Museum Colecção Berardo.
The Monument to the Discoveries seen from the Belém Cultural Centre.
The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most prominent monuments of the Manueline-style architecture (Portuguese late-Gothic) in Lisbon, classified in 1983 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Jerónimos Monastery seen from the Praça do Império Garden.
The Jerónimos Monastery Interior. Vasco da Gama's tomb was placed inside by the entrance, as was the tomb of poet Luis de Camões, author of the epic The Lusiads in which he glorifies the triumphs of Da Gama and his compatriots.
The Jerónimos Monastery is the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. It was built to commemorate Vasco Da Gama's voyage and to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for its success.
The Jerónimos Monastery receives loads of tourists all year around.
Winter days in Lisbon. A nice coffee near the Jerónimos Monastery.
Subway to the Monument to the Discoveries.
The Monument to the Discoveries celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Monument to the Discoveries was conceived in 1939 by Portuguese architect José Ângelo Cottinelli Telmo, and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, as a temporary beacon during the Portuguese World Fair opening in June 1940.
The only woman on the Monument to the Discoveries, Philippa of Lancastre, mother of Prince Henry the Navigator.
The first day of winter, before opening hours at the Monument to the Discoveries.
A group of tourists standing on the Compass Rose, in the front of the Monument to the Discoveries.
The Compass Rose and Mappa Mundi, a gift from the Republic of South Africa, created from various marbles.
The Tower of Belém, built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition, is a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world.
The CCB seen from the National Archaeology Museum of Lisbon.
Belém Art Fest 2014.
Belém Art Fest featuring Rita Red Shoes.
A Must Try. The Portuguese traditional pastry, Pastel de Belém, has become a true icon of tourism in Lisabon.
