The Belém Cultural Center () is a complex of artistic venues located in Belém in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. It is the largest building with cultural facilities in Portugal, with over of usable space. The centre was initially built to accommodate the programme of Portugal's Presidency of the European Council in 1992, but with the long-term goal of providing permanent venues for conferences, exhibitions and performance arts (such as opera, ballet and concerts), in addition to meeting halls, shops and cafés. History The decision to build the cultural center was taken in January 1988, as part of the Portuguese government's understanding that it needed building to host the works of Portugal's European Union Presidency (in 1992). The building would also serve as a core facility for cultural and leisure activities after its term, and as a venue for conferences and exhibitions. An international architectural competition was held and six proposals were invited to submit a preliminary project, out of the 57 submissions. The final proposal, submitted by the architectural consortium of Vittorio Gregotti (Italy) and Atelier Risco at the time led by Manuel Salgado (Portugal), was designed to include five modules: a Conference Centre, a Performing Arts Centre, an Exhibition Centre, a Hotel and complementary equipment zone, but the Conference Centre, the Performing Arts Centre and the Exhibition Centre were initially built. Starting in July 1989, the pre-existing buildings along the waterfront were demolished and many of the infrastructures were reestablished. By January 1992, modules 1, 2 and 3 were completed and ready to accommodate the institutions, administration, communication centre and security of the European Union Presidency. A year later the Conference Centre and small auditorium (March) and later the Exhibition Centre were opened to the public. By September of the same year, the main auditorium was opened. Events It has hosted events like the summit meeting of the heads of state of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Architecture The building is located in the parish of Belém, near the riverfront west of Lisbon, between the dual Avenida da Índia-Avenida de Brasília motorway and Rua Bartolomeu Dias. Apart from fronting the (Imperial Square), it juxtapositions the Jerónimos Monastery, and is surrounded by many historical buildings, such as the Palace and Tower of Belém, National Museum of Archaeology, Planetarium, and Monument to the Discoveries. The Belém Cultural Centre has 140,000 m2 of construction area and was