Monument to the Discoveries in Lisbon

The tribute is located on the coast of Belém, near Lisbon, and is also very close to other important sights like Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. The Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) stands 170 Ft (52 m) tall. This stunning monument was designed to commemorate the Age of Discoveries in Portugal. It was inaugurated in 1960, on the fifth centenary of one of the country’s great discoverers, Prince Henry the Navigator, who discovered the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde.

The Monument to the Discoveries is made up of a group of sculptures that represent the prow of a caravel (a small sailing ship constructed by the Portuguese to explore the Atlantic Ocean). Leading the ship is Prince Henry the Navigator, followed by many other great Portuguese explorers who played key roles in the major discoveries of Portugal's history.

The Monument’s Observation Deck

If you would like to see a scenic view of Belém from above, we recommend you visit the observation deck on the top of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. If you don't like climbing stairs, there's still no excuse not to go since there's also an elevator that can take you to the top.

The views of the Belém monument and the city’s western neighborhoods are impressive, but the most beautiful view is a marble mosaic at the foot of the Monument that represents a compass, with a world map in the center.

The compass was designed by Cristino da Silva and is 164 Ft (50m) in diameter. It was given to Portugal by the Republic of South Africa.