Towers are a very common type of architecture, whether it is a stupa with oriental overtones or a towering western tower, they have their own purpose, in the Portuguese capital, there is a tower covering an area equivalent to more than 11,200 football fields, its identity has been changed seven times, only the final use is reasonable. What's going on? Let me reveal the secrets to you.
(All pictures in this article, all from the network, thanks to the original author, if you infringe your rights, please contact the author of this number to delete.) The picture has nothing to do with the content, please do not enter the seat)
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon once boasted its highlight moments. In the 16th century, because Lisbon was the westernmost large city on the European continent, and Portugal was extremely powerful, it was once the commercial center of Europe, and ships from Europe to South America mostly passed through here. Although Lisbon prospered by sea, it was essentially an industrial city with a wide variety of industrial sectors, including shipbuilding, cement, steel and plastics, all of which had the largest scale in Europe.
At the height of Portugal's national power, but also the climax of the Renaissance, the collision of economy and art was destined to produce masterpieces that will be passed down from generation to generation, and the Belém Tower was born at this time. Built in 1500, the Tower of Belém, although it is called "Tower", but more like a castle, covers an area of 82.44 square kilometers, the Tower of Belém as a whole consists of a tower, rooms and barriers, the whole tower highlights the typical Manueline style, while adding distinct Arab and Moorish elements, so as to create such a unique chi tower.
Why build a tower into a castle? This starts with the identity that was arranged for it at the beginning. More than five hundred years ago, many European countries rely on maritime trade to grow rapidly, the defense of sea raids has become a major consideration of every country, in order to protect the security of the port of Lisbon's Belém district, the then King João II decided to build a fortification, which is the first identity of the Belém Tower.
With the completion and commissioning, the people of the time found that the Belém Tower did not need to be fortified at all, because the Netherlands at that time was very powerful, there was no one to match, on the contrary, navigators throughout Europe would choose to go to sea from here when they sailed far, in order to pray for good luck, and the Belém Tower quickly turned into the starting point of the navigators of the Great Navigation Age. The iconic starting point, this is the second use of the Belém Tower.
At this time, João II did not do it, he paid such a big cost, invited the famous artist Aruda as the chief designer, just to design a very practical bunker, but now it has become a "scenic spot" for navigators, which is naturally unacceptable to him, so he immediately ordered: the Tower of Belém will be changed into a customs, and foreign ships are strictly forbidden to sail in without permission. In this way, the Belém Tower became its third use – customs.
To the inconceivable of João II, the short engagement of troops on the sea soon became history, with the innovation of science and technology, four hundred years later, two world wars, showing a rapid transition from cold weapons to hot weapons, at this time the role of customs can no longer be displayed, the Dutch leaders at that time transformed it into a "telegraph station", this is because the Belém Tower is uniquely located, and the place is rich, very suitable for intelligence work. With the disappearance of the war and the innovation of science and technology, the telegraph machine was gradually banned by telephones and mobile phones, and the telegraph station became history, at which time the Belém Tower became a beacon for the fisherman's journey. The telegraph station and lighthouse became the fourth and fifth uses of the Belém Tower.
With the rapid development of sonar, radar gradually spread to ships, at this time the ships no longer need lighthouses, Belém Tower once again "unemployed", but Belém Tower soon became a new "job", in the late World War II, it gradually became a prison, this tower is naturally separated from other buildings, as a prison is a good choice. However, a prison was set up in the center of the capital, and the Dutch people protested, so the prisoners who were later imprisoned in Belémtar were gradually transferred. Today, the Belém Tower has become a "world-class cultural heritage" and, after 500 years of vicissitudes, it has become a famous attraction similar to a museum. Prisons and museums became the sixth use of the Belém Tower.
There is no doubt that the Belém Tower is very great, after more than half a century, it is constantly changing its identity, and perhaps in a few years, people will give it a new function, which is the charm of ancient architecture, old trees will sprout, let alone a "castle"? Hopefully, the Belém Tower can stand forever in the capital of the Netherlands and make it a witness to the history of human development.
Wenlan Hairun Studio Editor-in-Chief Wen Xiucai, this article is written by: Special History Writer: Jin Xiaozhou
Source: 1. "Portugal Belém Tower" by Shantou Industrial Company; published by Science Popularization Press