Monument of the Discoveries

The Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) is a riverside monument in the Belém district of Lisbon, built to commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery and figures such as Henry the Navigator. The present stone and concrete monument stands about 52 meters tall and was completed in 1960.

The monument’s prominent features include a prow-shaped tower with carved figures along its sides representing explorers, navigators and patrons; an interior area contains exhibits and a large map at the base illustrating exploration routes. Visitors commonly ascend to the terrace for panoramic views of the Tagus River, Belém Tower and surrounding riverside monuments.

A temporary version of the structure was first erected for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition; the permanent monument was designed and completed later and inaugurated in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator’s death. The site has since been a focal point for commemoration of Portugal’s maritime history.

The monument stands on the northern bank of the Tagus River in western Lisbon’s Belém neighborhood, immediately upriver from the Belém Tower and close to the Jerónimos Monastery.

• Location tip: Sits on the northern bank of the Tagus River in Belém, immediately upriver from the 16th-century **Belém Tower** and close to the Jerónimos Monastery, making it easy to combine into a single visit.
• Best viewing time: Best views across the river are from the terrace and from the riverside promenade at sunset when the light falls on the riverside monuments.

What to See #

• Terrace viewpoint: A glazed terrace and viewing platform at the top of the monument offering panoramic views over the Tagus estuary and the Belém riverside; the monument includes visitor access to the terrace by stairs and elevator.
• Monument tower and base map: A large stone monument rising from a rectangular base and faced with carved figures and reliefs; the structure is about 52 meters tall and contains an interior exhibition space and a large map at the base showing Portuguese exploration routes.