Exterior
The tower and bastion of the building in Belém have a rectangular and irregular hexagonal shape, respectively. The tower rests on a horizontal stone slab and is covered by masonry enclosures. A drawbridge on the northeast angle provides access to the bulwark, adorned with plant motifs, the royal coat of arms, small columns, and armillary spheres. Manueline armillary spheres symbolizing Portugal's explorations adorn the tower's entrance.The lower bastion walls feature spaces for 17 cannons, with embrasures offering a view of the river. The upper tier of the bastion is crowned by a wall with bartizans and rounded shields with the cross of the Order of Christ. The bartizans have zoomorphic ornaments and domes with ridges, and the bases depict beasts, including a rhinoceros. The tower combines Manueline elements with influences from Moorish architecture, seen in the delicate decorations, arched windows, balconies, and ribbed cupolas of the watchtowers.
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Interior
The interior of the bastion consists of two contiguous halls with vaulted ceilings supported by masonry arches, along with storage lockers and sanitary facilities. The ground floor bunker has inclined floors and vaulted spines supported by masonry pilasters. Gothic rib vaulting is present in the casemate, tower rooms, and cupolas of the watchtowers. The main cloister has archways, broken arches, and pillars with gargoyle facets. The upper level of the cloister is connected by a railing decorated with crosses of the Order of Christ. On the cloister terrace, there is an image of the Virgin and Child. The tower's interior features the Governor's Hall, King's Hall, Audience Hall, and a chapel on the fourth floor. The ceilings of the floors are covered with hollow concrete slabs, and the chapel has a vaulted rib ceiling with Manueline-style niches supported by carved corbels.The tower is approximately 12 meters wide and 30 meters tall. The first-floor interior includes the Governor's Hall, which opens into the cistern, as well as corridors linking to the bartizans. A spiral staircase provides access to the subsequent floors. The second floor features the King's Hall, which overlooks the river from the loggia. A corner fireplace extends from the second floor to the third floor's Audience Hall. The fourth floor houses the chapel with its emblematic Manueline-style vaulted rib ceiling and niches.
These architectural details and interior spaces make the tower and bastion of Belém an impressive structure that reflects the Manueline style and historical influences.
