Monument to the Discoveries
Monument to the Discoveries features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Lisbon. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type monument
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Lisbon Lisbon guide
About Monument to the Discoveries
A 52-metre white monument erected in 1960 showing Henry the Navigator leading Portugal's greatest explorers toward the sea.
The Monument to the Discoveries, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, stands on the Tagus riverbank at Belém, a bold celebration of Portugal's extraordinary Age of Discovery. Inaugurated in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator, the monument takes the form of a great caravel ship's prow, 52 metres tall, carved in white limestone and concrete. At the tip of the prow stands Henry the Navigator, holding a model ship, leading a procession of 33 historical figures carved in high relief on either side. Among them are Vasco da Gama, Fernão de Magalhães, Bartolomeu Dias, the poet Luís de Camões, and King Afonso V. Descend to ground level to find the magnificent compass rose mosaic on the pavement, a 50-metre inlaid map of the world donated by South Africa in 1960, marking the dates and routes of Portugal's discoveries from 1427 to 1541. Inside the monument, a lift ascends to a panoramic viewing platform at the top.
Did you know? The 50-metre compass rose mosaic map at the foot of the monument was a gift from South Africa to Portugal in 1960.
How long is a visit to Monument to the Discoveries?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Monument to the Discoveries. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Monument to the Discoveries worth your time?
Monument to the Discoveries is among the 28 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Lisbon, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Lisbon
Hear the story of Monument to the Discoveries
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