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Monument to the Discoveries, Lisbon © Lisbon Tourism Association
Monument to the Discoveries
One of the most famous sights in Lisbon is the imposing
Padrão dos Descobrimentos, situated on the riverbank in the
Avenida de Brasilia in the district of Belem and designed to
commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Belem, where the Tagus
meets the sea, is the point from which the maritime explorers of
yore set forth in their sailing ships to discover the world. The
monument was unveiled in 1960 on the 500th anniversary of the death
of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1460, the monarch who was largely
responsible for Portugal's role in world exploration during the
15th and 16th centuries. The massive monument takes the form of a
caravel with Prince Henry at the prow, backed by images of renowned
mariners, royal patrons and others who participated in the golden
age of discovery.
Telephone: 21 303 1950
Transport: Bus 27, 28, 43 or 49
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am to 6pm.