Padrao dos Descobrimentos Lisbon
History
The Padrao dos Descobrimentos is a monument in Lisbon which celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries. Situated on the northern banks of the River Tagus in Belem District, this area is known for having Lisbon’s elites in the past. Many of the ships of voyages of discovery departed from here.
A temporary Padrao dos Descobrimentos was erected here in 1940 fair and it was made from wood. The construction of the current structure started in 1958 and finished in 1960. The structure is 52 high and its design comes from the prow of a caravel. There are 33 figures (statues) in total on both sides of the monument. The great people of the era included monarchs, explorers, cartographers, artists, scientists and missionaries.
Famous People on the Monument
On the eastern side of the monument, there are statues of Afonso V, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, Saint Francis Xavier, Afonso de Albuquerque and Bartolomeu Dias to name few. On the western side of Padrao dos Descobrimentos, there are figures of Peter, Duke of Coimbra, Queen Philippa of Lancaster, Fernao Mendes Pinto, Frei Goncalo de Carvalh, Nuno Goncalves, Pero da Covilha, Jacome de Maiorca, Pedro Escobar, Joao Goncalves Zarco and Ferdinand the Holy Prince are among others. Henry the Navigator is positioned at the front of the monument looking out towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The area around this monument is very pleasant for a walk and there is also a viewing platfrom at the top of the Padrao dos Descobrimentos. The 25 de Abril Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) can be seen from the Padrao dos Descobrimentos.
