Discoveries' Standard

Category: Civil Architecture > Monument

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Belém

Location

The Monument to the Discoveries stands majestically on the northern bank of the Tagus River, in the historic area of Belém, Lisbon. Its position, by the water, evokes the starting point of great voyages and offers a broad perspective of the river estuary, a scenery of departure and arrival for countless expeditions. The surrounding area is open, with ample spaces that invite contemplation of the monument and the riverside landscape.

Memory and Symbolism

This monument was initially conceived in 1940, as an ephemeral structure, for the Portuguese World Exhibition. In 1960, on the occasion of the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator, the Monument was permanently rebuilt in concrete and stone. Its structure, which resembles the prow of a caravel sailing the waters, is a tribute to the Portuguese Age of Discoveries, honoring Prince Henry the Navigator as the central figure and driving force behind the maritime journeys.

The Gallery of Historical Figures

With a design reminiscent of a stylized vessel, the monument features the figure of Prince Henry the Navigator at its prow. Flanking him, and arranged in two descending rows, are thirty-two statues of essential personalities linked to Portuguese maritime expansion and the culture of the time. Among these figures are notable navigators, cartographers, warriors, missionaries, chroniclers, and artists, each depicted with identifying elements, symbolizing the diversity of efforts that propelled the discoveries. At the top of the monument, a stylized mast is adorned with Portuguese shields and the Cross of Aviz, referencing the heraldic elements of the Kingdom.

Views of the Tagus and Belém

Inside the Monument, there is a cultural space that includes exhibition rooms and an auditorium. However, one of the most attractive points is its viewpoint, accessible by elevator. From this elevated point, the panoramic view over the Tagus River and the Belém surroundings is remarkable. It is a privileged spot to appreciate the scale of the estuary and the layout of the riverside area.

The Giant Wind Rose

On the ground, in front of the Monument, there is an impressive mosaic Wind Rose, fifty meters in diameter. This representation, a gift from South Africa, includes a large planisphere at its center, marking the main maritime routes of Portuguese expansion in the 15th and 16th centuries, with the dates and types of vessels that traveled them. It is an element that invites a detailed look at the historical geography of the discoveries.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt