I was so familiarised with this image printed in almost every touristic postcard that I had never really taken the time to thoroughly look at its "original" with "inquisitive" eyes ... the ones we should have when looking at something for the first time (as if it could be the last).
Also referred to as Tower of Saint Vincent, the Tower of Belém was commissioned by King John II to be part of a defense system a the mouth of the Tagus river, though it wasn't but during the reign of Dom Manuel I, some twenty years later, that its construction was ordered (1515-1521).
Built in limestone it is considered a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style, though strongly influenced by the Moorish architecture which can be seen in the multipke delicate decorations, the arched windows and the balconies, amongst other elements.
Several sculpted nautical elements are a permanent reminder of Portugal's maritime achievements and the rounded shields with the order of Christ on the parapets symbolising the contribution of their Knights towards the numerous military conquests during that epoch.
The image of the Virgin with the Child on the Southern portion of the cloister terrace is rather impressive.
It has been referred to as Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucess (Our Lady of Good Success), Senhora das Uvas (Our Lady of Grapes) and Virgem da Boa Viagem (Virgin of Safe Homecoming), but it is the latest that seems to be the most meaningful, once the Virgin is turned towards the sea as if to protect the sailors.
There is no excuse for not having "paid" my respects to the undertaking capacity of my ancestors by having visited and appreciated this "jewel" earlier ...
This "late recognition" was heartfelt though and had a tremendous impact on me ...
May the Virgin protect our apprehensive "fairweather sailing" through the threatening storming tides of nowadays ..., as we no longer are the daring sailors of the past ...
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