Monuments and Attractions in Lisbon – Page 6

Schedules of Monument to the Discoveries

March to September – Every day.

October to February – Every day.

Close:

Tickets prices

Free :
– Children under 12 years old.
– Young people aged 13 to 18 years living in the municipality of Lisbon.
– Over 65 years old living in the municipality of Lisbon.
– Persons Accompanying People with Disabilities.
– Residents in Lisbon county on Sundays and holidays until 2pm.

Address: Avenida Brasília. 1400-038 Lisboa.

Monument to the Discoveries history

The Monument to the Discoveries, was first erected, in 1940 for the Portuguese World Exhibition. Built from perishable materials, it had a light iron and cement structure.
In 1960, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator, the Monument was rebuilt in concrete and rose stone from Leiria, and the sculptures were made of limestone from Sintra.
The Monument to the Discoveries evokes Portugal’s overseas expansion, symbolising the Art of Navigation and the greatness of the work of Prince Henry the Navigator, the driving force behind the discoveries.
A caravel, carrying on its bow Prince Henry the Navigator and some of the leading figures (32) of the culture of the time, navigators, cartographers, warriors, colonisers, evangelisers, chroniclers and artists, are depicted with the symbols that individualise them.
A stylized mast has on each side two Portuguese shields with five corners, surrounded by a band with 12 castles and several fleurs-de-lis in the center. The monument is flanked by two metal armillary spheres.