Part of the monastery through the trees

Details from the monastery's facade

While in Belém we visited the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos de Santa María de Belém and strolled along to the Torre de Belém via the Discoveries Monument celebrating the exploits of Vasco da Gama and other explorers.

Torre de Belém

Detail from Tagus facing facade

Opening at the top of the Torre (illustrates amazing zoom on Canon PowerShot SX 210 IS)

Part of the Torre de Belém with the 25th April Bridge in background

Looking across the Tagus to Porto Brandao

Following our late morning visit to Lisbon's botanical gardens we headed off early afternoon to Belém. Warm early spring sun along with February holidays had brought out the crowds. Hardly surprising as the monastery looked particularly attractive bathed in sunshine.

Naturally a visit to the famous Pasteis de Belém for coffee and some delicously light pasteis was oligatory.

So good are the pasteis that I couldn't get the camera out while this one was still whole!