Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a renowned monument of Portugal located at Avenida de Brasilia in Belem, a district of Lisbon. Tourists visit Padrão dos Descobrimentos on a day trip to Belem, which is situated just a few miles from Lisbon's downtown. It is easily accessible from the city by tram number 15.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos was built in 1960 on the northern bank of River Tagus, in order to commemorate the 500th death anniversary of Prince Infant D. Henrique or Henry the Navigator. Also known as the Discoveries Monument in Lisbon, Padrão dos Descobrimentos is located opposite to the Jeronimos Monastery and can be reached by an underground pathway from the monastery's garden.
Visiting Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Padrão dos Descobrimentos attracts tourists from different parts of the globe. The structure magnificently depicts a 3-sailed ship that is about to depart. The stone ship also has sculptures of prominent historical personalities of Portugal. One of the figures is of King Manuel I, carvd with an armillary sphere in his hand. The other figures are of Camões, Vasco da Gama, Cabral, Magellan and of many Portuguese crusaders, cartographers, explorers, monks and cosmographers. Prince Henry is represented at the prow with a small caravel or vessel. Queen Felipa of Lancaster, Henry's
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mother is the only female stone figure on the ship.
The wonders of Padrão dos Descobrimentos
The interiors of Padrão dos Descobrimentos has a good exhibition space, where temporary exhibits are displayed. An excellent film on Lisbon is also showed there. Tourists can reach the top of the monument by an elevator to get a panoramic view of Belem and the monuments located close by.
The pavement across Padrão dos Descobrimentos is beautifully adorned with a mosaic, which was gifted to Portugal by the South African government in 1960. The mosaic represents a compass and a world-map, which shows the routes taken by famous Portuguese explorers.
The visiting time of Padrão dos Descobrimentos is from 10 AM to 6 PM. The monument does not allow visitors on Mondays. The nearby attractions of Padrão dos Descobrimentos are Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Berardo Museum, Belem Cultural Center, Belem Palace and 25 de Abril Bridge and many more.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos is one of the exceptional monuments near Lisbon and it looks spectacular during late afternoon, when it beautifully reflects the sunlight.
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