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The history of Pastel de Belém dates back to the beginning of the 19th century and is linked to the monks of the Jerônimos Monastery, in Belém, Lisbon. They would have created the sweet to use surplus gems from the hosts. The monks kept the secret of the recipe, but after liberal revolutions in 1920, they had to leave the monastery. A sugar merchant, Domingos Rafael Alves, discovered the secret and began selling the sweets as "Pastéis de Belém". The region attracted tourists, strengthening the sweet's fame. In the 20th century, Pastel de Belém became a tourist and gastronomic icon in Portugal, with visitors from all over the world trying this delicacy. The local proverb says: "a bride who eats pastry never takes off her ring", and it is common to see newlywed couples enjoying this sweet treat on their wedding day as part of the tradition.
