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