The Monument of the Discoveries, or Padrão dos Descobrimentos, stands 170 feet tall along the picturesque bank of the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal. Located in the Santa Maria de Belém area, the site commemorates prominent historical figures from the 15th and 16th-century Portuguese Age of Discovery. The monument was originally constructed for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition as a temporary exhibit to celebrate Portugal’s maritime prowess and national pride. Originally constructed out of perishable materials, the statue was reconstructed in 1960 in honor of the fifth centenary of Prince Henry the Navigator, the monument’s forefront figure. The figures behind Henry represent important Portuguese leaders who succeeded Henry’s time, including monarchs, explorers, scientists, and missionaries. Some of the most renowned include Vasco de Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral, and Ferdinand Magellan. The monument was rebuilt using cement and rose-colored stone, with limestone figures.
- Subject Matter: landscape
- Collections: Architecture, Landscapes, Portugal