August 25, 2007

The Sights of Belem: The Fort

Like most of Brazil's major coastal cities, Belem began as a fortification. The ruins of the fort have been preserved, and also house a small but impressive museum. Photos were not allowed in the museum, but they were at the fort.

Yours truly, sitting on one of the cannon. Moments before getting yelled at by a guard for sitting on the cannon.

View of the ocean.

Cannon in a row. At least more of an effort to preserve them is being made here than on Alc�ntara.

Civil War era guns on display inside the fort. In the background can be seen the buildings of the old section of town.

Coat of arms on one of the cannon...I will assume it is Portuguese.

While walking over these grounds and seeing what was left of a once-great empire, the following verses came to mind:

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

Psalm 146:3-9

Posted by Andrew on August 25, 2007 9:48 AM.