Age of Discoveries Monument

   On the north bank of the Tagus River, across from the Jeronimos Monastery, the "Age of Discoveries" Monument was dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator's death. Built in 1960, its design represents a three-masted ship ready to depart. It includes sculptures of important historic figures (e.g. King Manuel I, Camoes -Portugal's greatest poet - Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Cabral, etc.), all following Prince Henry the Navigator on the prow. The interior of the building includes an exhibition area along with a film about the history of Lisbon. There is an elevator that takes visitors to the top of the monument for wonderful views of the city and the river. On the pavement in front of the building is a large mosaic representing a compass and a map of the world, charting the routes taken by Portuguese explorers. This mosaic was presented to the city by the South African government in 1960.

One of the top tourist attractions in Belem is the "Age of Discoveries" monument, dedicated to Portugal's most famous historic figures.

View of the mosaic compass/map of Portuguese exploration as seen from the top of the monument.

A closer look at the mosaic and some of the routes of the Portuguese explorers.

From the top of the monument, visitors get wonderful views of the river...

...and the city.

Just a few hundred feet from the monument is this ancient lighthouse that guided Portuguese explorers through the river.