When in your trip to Lisbon go to the nearby neighborhood of Belem, surely attracted by the visit to the Jerónimos Monastery (and perhaps also to taste the delicious Belem cupcakes), you will find two monuments on the banks of the tagus river.
On the one hand, the famous Belém Tower, which since the 16th century has been part of the defensive fortifications of the Lisbon city distributed in the estuary of the aforementioned river, and which is another sample of what is known as Manueline architecture.
But you will also see the monument to the Discoveries, of which I can tell you that you can go up to its terrace, just as I did on my last visit to the Portuguese capital.
All the information in detail
What is the monument to the Discoveries of Belem
Surely you know the tradition that the Portuguese have as sailors and “Discoverers" of the The new World In America.
And it is precisely as a tribute to these discoverers that this monument was built in 1960, located on the banks of the mouth of the river. tagus river, and in front of the Monastery of los jeronimos.
Specifically, the monument was built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator.
This great monument tries to emulate a caravel, and on both sides of it are crowded statues of numerous figures linked to the time of discovery, from kings and navigators, to cartographers, poets and mathematicians.
Among these statues there is no shortage of those dedicated to Magallanes, Vasco de Gama or even to Camoens.
How to visit the monument to the Discoveries
For visit the monument to the Discoveries, when you are in front of the façade of the aforementioned monastery, you have to cross the gardens in front in the direction of the river.
To do this you must use an underpass that will allow you to cross the highway and the train track that runs next to the seafront.
Worth it go up to the terrace of the monument (which you can do by elevator) as you will have excellent panoramic views of the different corners of Belem, as well as the Tagus estuary.
In this regard, the views of the Monastery of los jeronimos, the April 25 Bridge, and even the Belém Tower.
Compass rose of the monument to the Discoveries
From the terrace you will also see the enormous compass Rose that is drawn on the ground, in front of the monument.
With 50 meters in diameter, in the earth plane You will be able to see reflected the different maritime routes followed by the Portuguese discoverers during the 15th and 16th centuries, and also identify the various territories discovered, from Azores, Cape Verde o Madagascar, to Brazil, Ceylon o Timor.
Visiting times for the Monument to the Discovery
The Visiting hours of the Monument to the Discoveries They are, from March to September, every day of the week, from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.; in October, from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.; and from November to February, from Wednesday to Sunday, also from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m., always with last access half an hour before closing.
El price of admission To go up by elevator is, for adults, 3 euros, including the exhibition and the viewpoint; 2,50 euros for seniors+65; and 1,50 euros for young people between 13 and 25 years old.
If you choose to go up on foot, admission will be free.
Here you can sign up for a tour of Belem and the Jerónimos Monastery with guide in spanish, or if you prefer, to a boat trip from Lisbon to end with a Belem tour
Photos monuments to the Discoveries
Here you have more photos of the monument to the Discoveries of Belem, near Lisbon.
The Belem Tower is one of the most beautiful monuments I have ever seen. In addition, very close you can also see the monument to the discoverers and the Jerónimos monastery.
The wonderful Lisbon, how beautiful it is!
Some time ago we used to visit it at least once a year.
Have you already uploaded the Christ in this Blog? Now I will look for it, it also has a curious story.
I send you an affectionate greeting.