Monument of Discoveries

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos, also known as the Monument to the Discoveries, is an imposing structure located on the banks of the Tagus River in the Belém district of Lisbon. This monument, standing at 56 meters tall, celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discoveries, a period between the 15th and 16th centuries, during which Portuguese navigators explored much of the world, opening new maritime and trade routes. The Padrão dos Descobrimentos was initially designed by architect Cottinelli Telmo and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida in 1940, for the Portuguese World Exhibition. However, the original structure, built with less durable materials, was replaced by a new version in concrete and limestone in 1960, to commemorate the fifth centenary of the death of Henry the Navigator. This Portuguese prince is depicted at the prow of the monument, symbolically leading a caravel, the vessel used by the navigators of the time. The monument houses 33 statues representing illustrious figures of the Age of Discoveries, including explorers, kings, cartographers, artists, and missionaries. Among these figures, in addition to Henry the Navigator, are Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India by sea, Bartolomeu Dias, who first rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and Ferdinand Magellan, the first to circumnavigate the globe. The statues are arranged along the monument’s side ramps, giving the impression of advancing towards the sea, symbolizing exploration and discovery. At the base of the monument is a gigantic Wind Rose, a 50-meter diameter mosaic donated by South Africa, representing a map of the world with the routes followed by Portuguese explorers. This element not only enhances the site aesthetically but also serves to remind of the importance of the geographical discoveries made by the Portuguese. Its construction and location, along the banks of the Tagus River, from where many expeditions departed, make this monument a significant landmark in Portuguese history. The monument is also close to other important attractions in Belém, such as the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, both closely linked to the Age of Discoveries. Inside the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, visitors can access various exhibition areas and an auditorium hosting multimedia presentations on the history of Lisbon and Portuguese discoveries. By climbing to the top floor of the monument, via stairs or elevator, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Tagus River, Belém, and its many attractions. The construction of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos was promoted by the Salazar regime, which sought to exalt Portugal’s glorious past as part of nationalist propaganda. Despite criticism received for this political association, the monument remains an icon of great historical and cultural significance, attracting thousands of visitors every year.