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Uploaded: 05/08/11 6:51 PM GMT
Lisbon's icon
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BELÉM TOWER - Built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor, the Belem Tower was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery, and for the sailors it was the last sight of their homeland. It is a monument to Portugal's Age of Discovery, often serving as a symbol of the country, and UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage monument. Built in the Manueline style, it incorporates many stonework motifs of Belem Tower the Discoveries, sculptures depicting historical figures such as St. Vincent and an exotic rhinoceros that inspired Dürer's drawing of the beast. The architect, Francisco de Arruda, had previously worked on Portuguese fortifications in Morocco, so there are also Moorish-style watchtowers and other Moorish influences. Facing the river are arcaded windows, delicate Venetian-style loggias, and a statue of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming, a symbol of protection for sailors on their voyages.

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.elektronist
05/08/11 7:20 PM GMT
Fantastic architecture! This great looking tower deserves to be an icon of a city. Beautiful capture, António. Great composition with a very nice angle of shot. Good lighting and very good timing for waves.

Tanju
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Be free - use Linux
.koca
05/08/11 8:46 PM GMT
Thanks a lot for the nice story, Antonio. This building deserves to be an icon. Outstanding shot.
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::tigger3
05/08/11 9:27 PM GMT
Very informative and well taken my friend. Tigs♥ =^..^=

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Nature in all her glory is my uplift on life and so is my love of photography. sandi ♪ ♫
.vangoughs
05/08/11 11:33 PM GMT
What a Majestic shot!!!
Well done
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::Jimbobedsel
05/08/11 11:42 PM GMT
Beautifully done, Antonio. That's a handsome old structure.
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::cynlee
05/09/11 1:08 AM GMT
An amazing piece of architecture for sure! Wow, Thanks for that narrative about this place too, Antonio. Great shot.
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You only live once. OR MAYBE NOT!
::billyoneshot
05/09/11 1:10 AM GMT
Antonio this is beautiful. As an American it is hard to fathom something this old. Very well composed and I love the detail.
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Billy
.Genver
05/09/11 12:47 AM GMT
Very nice photo,Antonio,the tower looks really good,very good lighting too.
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::0930_23
05/09/11 3:30 PM GMT
A beautiful icon it is Antonio. I suspect it has taken many a beating from the waves over the years. Age has made it even more beautiful.

TicK


(Viewed Full Screen)
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Cameras are like people--sometimes they lose focus.
.Eubeen
05/09/11 5:00 PM GMT
A beautiful looking building, Antonio. Good details in the structure and a nice presentation. Thanks for the narrative of the history surrounding the tower.
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Painting is an illusion, a piece of magic, so what you see is not what you see. - Philip Guston
::Inkeri
05/09/11 5:14 PM GMT
Fantastic architecture.Absolutely Stunning photo,Antonio.Thank you for the narrative.
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.Joanie
05/10/11 2:11 AM GMT
It looks more like a small castle!! So beautiful and your capture outstanding Antonio!!!
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::allisontaylor
05/10/11 11:11 AM GMT
An amazing old structure. Seems surreal, beautifully composed. Thank you for sharing the history there.
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.icedancer
05/10/11 4:31 PM GMT
Marvelously taken and great info on the history.
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.Tomeast
05/10/11 11:45 PM GMT
A fine image of this and interesting history.
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::luckyshot
05/14/11 12:29 AM GMT
Antonio - Thank you for sharing the history of this old fortress. You composed the photo of this intricate building very well. Thad
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If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera. ~Lewis Hine
.Fergus
05/16/11 8:13 PM GMT
Excelente foto, a torre de Belém é um edifício muito fotogénico
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"What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" - Friedrich Nietzsche
.hirschikiss22
05/22/11 4:13 AM GMT
What an outstanding shot! Absolutely love it!
~Kim
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Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain

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