Padrão dos Descobrimentos

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or Monument to the Discoveries, was originally conceived in 1940 as a temporary structure for the Portuguese World Exhibition. Designed by architect Cottinelli Telmo and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, it was intended to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the founding of Portugal and the 300th anniversary of the restoration of independence. The original monument was constructed from wood and plaster and was dismantled in 1943 after the exhibition concluded. However, its symbolic power resonated deeply with the national identity of the time. In 1960, a permanent version was commissioned to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. This new structure was built using reinforced concrete and faced with rose-tinted limestone from Leiria, standing 52 meters tall on the banks of the Tagus River. The monument is shaped like the prow of a caravel, a vessel synonymous with Portuguese maritime exploration. It features 33 statues of prominent figures from the Age of Discovery, including explorers, monarchs, cartographers, and artists. Prince Henry the Navigator stands at the prow, holding a small caravel, while other figures like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan follow behind him. Inside, the monument houses an exhibition space and a viewpoint that offers spectacular views of the Belém district.