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Monument Of The Discoveries

A Tribute to the Glorious Exploration

Facing the mouth of the Tagus River in Lisbon, the 56-meter-high sail-shaped Monument of the Discoveries is carved with 33 Portuguese greats, including Vasco da Gama, to commemorate the golden years of the Age of Discovery. The ground of the square in front of the monument is decorated with a giant mosaic compass pattern.

At the mouth of the Tagus River (Tejo) in Lisbon’s Belém district, a 56-meter-tall Monument of the Discoveries stands. The sail-shaped monument is a fond reminder of the golden years of the Age of Discovery, and marks the Departure Place of Portuguese Fleet in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) was built in 1960 to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry, a leading figure in the great era of Portuguese discovery. On the east and west sides of the sail-shaped monument, a total of 33 Portuguese Greats are carved, including Prince Henry on the prow, Vasco da Gama, who pioneered the Indian route, and Ferdinand Magellan, who circumnavigated the globe.

People On the Monument

Manywhere Trivia:
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal was an absolute maritime superpower, with colonies in America, Asia, and Africa.

The interior of the monument features an exhibition space that presents the history of Lisbon and the imprints of the Age of Discovery. Standing on the terrace at the top of the monument, landmarks such as Belem Tower and Jerónimos Monastery can be seen in full view.

On the north side of the Monument of the Discoveries is an open square with mosaic tiles of a Giant Compass in the center, which records the Portuguese maritime sphere of influence and the time of discovery, the best proof of Portuguese achievements in the Age of Great Discovery.