Monument to the Portuguese Colonizing Effort

Category: Civil Architecture > Memorial

District: Porto > Porto > Foz do Douro > Burgal

Location

The Monument to the Portuguese Colonizing Effort stands in Praça do Império, an area of Foz do Douro known for its proximity to the river mouth and the sea. This location, situated in the urban zone of Burgal, in the municipality of Porto, offers a distinct environment where the presence of the river and the ocean shapes the surrounding landscape. Its central position in the square makes it a visible and easily accessible landmark for those exploring the area.

Origin and Symbolism

This monument was initially conceived for the Portuguese Colonial Exhibition, which took place in Porto in 1934. Designed by architects Alberto Ponce de Castro and José de Sousa Caldas, the work was created to evoke and celebrate what was then called the "colonizing effort" of Portugal. It thus represents a material testament to a particular phase of national history, reflecting the ideas and context of that period.

Architectural Features

Standing approximately ten meters high, the monument exhibits an aesthetic marked by the Art Deco movement, visible in its granite blocks that rise geometrically. At the top, proudly, are the arms of Portugal. At its base, a set of six sculptural figures symbolizes different aspects of the colonial effort: the woman, the missionary, the soldier, the merchant, the doctor, and the settler. This representation aims to illustrate the various pillars that, in the light of the time, would sustain the Portuguese presence in overseas territories.

A Historical Landmark

More than fifty years after its temporary inauguration at the Colonial Exhibition, the Monument to the Portuguese Colonizing Effort was relocated to its current position in Praça do Império in 1984. This reinstallation transformed it into a permanent element of the urban landscape of Foz do Douro. The monument invites reflection on the history and evolution of Portuguese society, functioning as a point of interest that combines public art and collective memory in a coastal setting of Porto.

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