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Monument to the Discoveries

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Barb B
Barb B
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Discoveries Monument

  • September 19, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Discoveries Monument

Across from Jerronimos Monastery, reached via an underpass from its gardens, is the Discoveries Monument, built on the north bank of the Tagus River in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. This is a modern structure contrasting nicely with the monastery and the Belem Tower.

It represents a three-sailed ship ready to depart, with sculptures of important historical figures. There is King Manuel I carrying an armillary sphere, poet Camões holding verses from The Lusiads, Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Cabral, and several other notable Portuguese explorers, crusaders, monks, cartographers, and cosmographers. All are following Prince Henry the Navigator at the prow. The only female is Queen Felipa of Lancaster, mother of Henry the Navigator, the driving force behind the great discoveries.

Inside is an exhibition space with temporary exhibits, an interesting film about the city of Lisbon, and an elevator that takes visitors to the top for some bird's-eye views of Belem and its monuments. This gets very crowded at times and there can be a long wait. There is an admission charge to the viewpoint.

The pavement in front of the monument is decorated with a mosaic that was given to Portugal by the South African government in 1960. There is a compass with the map of the world charting the routes taken by the Portuguese explorers. I found this very interesting and a great reminder of long forgotten history lessons.

The monument is particularly appealing to photographers because of the opportunities to get dramatic pictures with the river and suspension bridge in the background. The monument looks particularly dramatic in the light of the late afternoon sun.

The Discoveries Monument opens from 10am to 6pm daily but is closed Mondays.

From journal Lisbon- Monumental Belem

Monument to the Discoveries

  • October 24, 2000
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Bobbi from McLean, Virginia
The Monument to the Discoveries is one of those must-see sorts of things; it is shaped like the prow of a ship with various famous discoverers along either side. At the center front is Prince Henry the Navigator. The monument is especially pretty in the evenings, when it is lit.

It is easy to reach Belem to visit this monument, the Tower of Belem, and the Jeronimos Monastery. It is a short and inexpensive cab ride from the riverside in downtown Lisbon, and there are also frequent trams. To return, there is a cab stand directly across the street form the monastery.

From journal Lovely Lisbon

Editor Pick

Monument to the Discoveries

  • October 8, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Barb B from Napa, CA and Hereford, AZ , Arizona
Monument to the Discoveries

This modern monument was built on the banks of the Tagus in 1960 to commemmorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. It serves as a tribute to the great Protuguese marine explorers who set out from Lisbon in the 15th century on their voyages of discovery. Shaped like the prow of a ship, it is lined with people symbolizing the discoverers, led by Henry the Navigator holding a minature ship in his hands.

Inside the monument there are photographs of the 15th century seamen adventurers and their historic journeys. There are also video displays revealing Lisbon's eternal link to the lure and wonder of the sea. You can take the elevator to the observation platform on top of the monument.

Below the monument, the mosaic in the square forms an intricate compass and a map of the world.

From journal Lisbon, Portugal

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