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Along the shore in the busy port city of Lisbon, Portugal, sits one of Portugal's most famous statues. It's called the "Discoveries Monument," and it tells the story of Portugal's proud history of exploration. This page has images, facts, and links to Google Earth that tell the story of this momument to Portugal's past sea greatness.
Along the shore in the busy port city of Lisbon, Portugal, sits one of Portugal's most famous statues. It's called the "Discoveries Monument," and it tells the story of Portugal's proud history of exploration. This page has images, facts, and links to Google Earth that tell the story of this momument to Portugal's past sea greatness.
It was designed and built in 1939 to honor Prince Henry's leadership of Portuguese expeditions into the New World as Lisbon prepared to host the 1940 World Fair.
It was torn down in 1940 after the Fair ended, but nearly 20 years later a Royal Decree ordered it should be rebuilt to stand forever.
It was finished in 1960 on the 500th Anniversary of Prince Henry's death.
It's official opening in 1960 brought 32 ships from 14 different nations.
Looking west into the Atlantic Ocean. You can see the front hanging over the water.
It is an exact replica of the original and stands 171 feet tall! The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet from base to the top of the torch.
There are a total of 33 figures, led by Prince Henry, who stands at the front holding a ship, representing his vision of sea discovery.
It was featured in the tv show Amazing Race (Season 23), where contestants had to measure Magellan's route around the world on a map next to it.
It is locacted in the Belem area of Lisbon, which was the starting point for many voyages, including Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. It's also where Christopher Columbus anchored after returning from discovering the New World.
You can take an elevator up 7 stories to get to walk around on the top.
So who are some of the big names of the other 32 figures with Prince Henry the Navigator?
So who are some of the big names of the other 32 figures with Prince Henry the Navigator?
explorers (of course), missionaries, mathematicians, writers, painters, and a map maker, with Prince Henry being the brains behind it all.
Prince Henry is far left at the top, holding a ship and casting the vision for Portugal to the seas beyond.
King Alfonso V (supportive of exploration and discovery) holds a sword behind him.
Vasco da Gama (first European to find a sea route to Asia) stands tall behind Prince Henry.
Pedro Alvarez Cabral (first to discover Brazil) is near the front.
Ferdinand Magellan (his crew became the first to circle the globe completely) is also featured near the front.
Bartolomeu Dias (first to cross over the Cape of Good Hope) helps raise a stone pillar.
Looking down from the top of the monument. This is where the scene from Amazing Race took place.
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