“Discovering The Age of Discoveries: Popular Places to Go in Lisbon”

🚢 The Padrão dos Descobrimentos, standing tall on the Lisbon waterfront, is a monolithic tribute to Portugal’s Age of Discovery. Designed by architect Cottinelli Telmo and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, this striking monument was initially conceived as a temporary structure for the 1940 Exhibition of the Portuguese World. Made of lightweight iron, cement, and an ephemeral mixture of plaster and burlap, it served as a dramatic, albeit transient, celebration of Portugal’s exploratory heritage.

🏗 Twenty years after its first ephemeral appearance, the monument was reconstructed to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of Infante D. Henry, the Navigator. This time, it was built to last, with concrete and the rose-tinted Leiria masonry, and adorned with Sintra limestone sculptures. By 1985, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos was inaugurated as the Cultural Center of Discoveries, following a significant internal remodeling by architect Fernando Ramalho, which introduced a viewpoint, auditorium, and exhibition halls, transforming it into a multifaceted cultural space.

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⛵ The monument itself is a stylized representation of a caravel pointing out to sea, led by Infante D. Henry at the prow, surrounded by 32 figures of the Portuguese age of overseas expansion and culture—each immortalized in stone with symbolic attributes of their achievements. The structure’s design incorporates a stylized mast, embraced by two Portuguese shields and ornate with fleurs-de-lis, while three triangular, curved shapes on each side mimic sails billowing in the wind.

🗿 On its north face, the monument bears powerful inscriptions dedicated to Infante D. Henry and the V Centenary of his death, establishing its purpose as a commemorative edifice. Visitors enter through a flight of nine steps into an atrium that offers a commanding view of the surrounding area, leading to a portal that grants access to the monument’s interior spaces.

🌐 Flanking the Padrão dos Descobrimentos are two armillary spheres, resting on parallelepiped platforms, symbolizing the world reached by Portuguese navigators. While the monument exudes historical grandeur, its accessibility features ensure that it can be experienced by many. With the assistance of a device known as the “Staircrewer,” those in manual wheelchairs can overcome the flights of stairs, although advanced contact is required to ensure availability.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos Drone Footage

🏛 To delve further into the monument, the exhibition hall on the lower floor is reachable via stairs or an accessible lift. However, the viewpoint atop the monument presents an accessibility challenge; it is only accessible by a narrow staircase leading up from the 6th floor, which unfortunately is not wheelchair-friendly. Still, for those able to reach it, the vista is protected by a 1.30m high wall, and periscopes are available to extend the view beyond this barrier.

🔍 With its towering height of 56 meters, and foundational depth of 20 meters, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a prominent feature of Lisbon’s historical landscape. The central figure of Infante D. Henry reaches 9 meters, while the side figures, numbering 32, stand at an impressive 7 meters each. This monumental scale not only dominates the physical space it occupies but also symbolizes the grand scale of Portugal’s maritime adventures.

🇵🇹 The Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a captivating monument that encapsulates the adventurous spirit of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. Its distinctive design and sculptures pay homage to the explorers and visionaries who left an indelible mark on world history. The chance to climb to the top and soak in the remarkable views is an added bonus, allowing visitors to grasp the geographical context of Lisbon’s maritime legacy.

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