The Monument of the Discoveries in Lisbon

 The Monument of the Discoveries  

©Andrzej Philips

The Monument of Discoveries (or Monument to the Navigators) is located in the parish of Belém, in the city and district of Lisbon, in Portugal. The architectural design was by Cottinelli Telmo and the sculptures were by Leopoldo de Almeida.

 

In a prominent position on the right bank of the Tagus River, the original monument, made of perishable materials, was erected in 1940 on the occasion of the Portuguese World Exhibition to honor the historical figures involved in the Portuguese Discoveries.

A picture depicting the first monument from 1940 [Museu Virtual da Lusofonia]

 

The current replica, in concrete and stone, is later, having been inaugurated in 1960.

Author in Lisbon, October 2023

  

The monument depicts important figures from the period of the great geographical discoveries, both sailors, scientists and missionaries. In addition to the main statue of Henry the Navigator, holding a model of a carrack, on either side of the ramps of the monument are a total of 33 figures from the history of the Discoveries, specifically (from right to left). You will find a description of these characters in my next articles.

At the very top of the monument there is a small observation deck from which you can see the Belém district. In front of the monument there is a marble mosaic with a diameter of 50 m, depicting a map and travel routes of Portuguese explorers. This mosaic was donated in 1960 by South Africa.

The mosaic

 

The nearby Torre de Belem has over a hundred postal issues. However, the Monument to the Discoveries was only featured on two stamps issued in 1940 and a postcard issued in 1999.

Stamps commemorating The Portuguese World Exhibition (Portuguese: Exposição do Mundo Português) which was held in Lisbon in 1940.