Belem Tower
The Belem Tower is a historical fortress situated on the banks of the Tejo River in Lisbon, Portugal. Built in the early 16th century, it functioned as both a military defense and ceremonial gateway to the city. Sailors departing for, and returning from, long voyages loaded with valuable cargoes of gold, spices, and other goods, would have viewed the tower as the last and first point of sight respectively. The tower is an excellent example of the Portuguese Manueline style, which is characterized by intricate stone carvings of maritime motifs, including ropes, anchors, and sea monsters. Today, the tower is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of the voyages that made Lisbon a powerful city. (Please click on the picture of the slide to view it in full screen.)
Dessert: As seen in the video, you can enjoy Pastel de Belem at Casa Pasteis de Belem.
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We tried to find a recipe for the custard tart known as pastel de nata, and we came across one by Ana Patuleia Ortins, who is the author of the cookbook Portuguese Home Cooking.
We searched for a "secret" pastel de nata recipe, and found one ready to share with you.
Most bakeries and supermarkets in Portugal sell custard tarts, making it easy for tourists to buy and try this delicious dessert.
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3. Prior to the Age of Discovery, traders traveled along the Silk Road, which was a network of trade routes connecting Europe and Asia. Do you know which two valuable goods were commonly transported from China?
