Belém (Lisbon)
| Belém | |
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| Civil parish | |
The Jerónimos Monastery, seen from the Padrão dos Descobrimentos
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 Belém
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| Coordinates: 38°41′56″N 9°12′32″W / 38.699°N 9.209°WCoordinates: 38°41′56″N 9°12′32″W / 38.699°N 9.209°W | |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Lisbon |
| Subregion | Grande Lisboa |
| Metropolitan area | Lisbon |
| District | Lisbon |
| Municipality | Lisbon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.43 km2 (4.03 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 16,528 |
| • Density | 1,600/km2 (4,100/sq mi) |
| Postal code | 1400 |
| Area code | 213 |
| Patron | Santa Maria de Belém |
| Website | http://jf-belem.pt |
Belém (Portuguese pronunciation: [bɨˈlɐ̃ȷ̃]), whose name is derived from the Portuguese word for Bethlehem, is the southwesternmost civil parish (freguesia) of the municipality of Lisbon. Until 2012, the area of Belém had its own historic parish, named Santa Maria de Belém. In 2012, the Administrative Reform of Lisbon resulted in the merging of the latter and the parish of São Francisco Xavier, thus creating the new parish of Belém. Located at the mouth of the River Tagus, it is located 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) west of the city centre and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of the Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge). Many of Portugal's distinctive buildings and landmarks are located in this area, including the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém. The population in 2011 was 16,528, in an area of 10.43 km2 (4.03 sq mi).
Archaeological evidence discovered along the margins of the Tagus indicates that human occupation in the area of Belém dates to the Paleolithic era.
With the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal by Afonso III, royal surveys, or inquirições gerais (general inquiries), were made at his command to inspect titles of lands claimed by the nobility and clergy, determined that the population around Lisbon was dispersed throughout the lowlands, which were suitable for agriculture. Consequently, Belém was connected to the neighbouring city by a bridge at Alcântara. Belém's proximity to the River Tagus also encouraged the development of commercial activities in the small village of Aldeia do Restelo, which attracted mariners and other seafarers seeking safe anchorage and protection from the winds when they entered the river. In the 14th century, Moors settled on and cultivated the surrounding lands, providing the city with produce; other Moors, both free and enslaved, worked in the fishing industry. Meanwhile, settlement in Restelo grew slowly towards Lisbon.
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Wikipedia