The Belém District is called Santa Maria de Belém parish within the western limits of Lisbon, Portugal. The district is along the northern shore of the Tagus (Tejo) River estuary near its outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.

Lisbon’s most crucial monument, Padrao dos Descobrimentos, is in the Belém District. Therefore, if you are heading to the western portion of Lisbon, you should check out this photogenic monument.

Lisbon’s Monument to the Discoveries stands 52 meters (170 feet) tall and commemorates the five-hundredth anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. He was the one who discovered the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos / Monument of Discoveries

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos is 170 Ft (52 m) tall. Therefore, the size and design of this stunning Monument were to commemorate the Age of Discoveries in Portugal. The inauguration was in 1960 on the fifth centenary of one of the country’s greatest discoverers, Prince Henry the Navigator. The Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde are some of his discoveries.

The location of the tribute is along the coast of Belém. The site is near Lisbon and other vital presences like Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery.

The Monument to the Discoveries comprises a group of sculptures representing the prow of a caravel. A caravel is a small Portuguese sailing vessel set to explore the Atlantic Ocean. Prince Henry the Navigator leads the boat and many other great Portuguese discoverers behind him.

The Monument’s Observation Deck

If you want to see the Belém District from above, we advise you to visit the observation deck. However, the observation deck is on the top of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos so you will need to pay to enter. If you don’t enjoy climbing stairs, you can always take an elevator to the top.

The sights from the Monument to the city’s western neighborhoods are exceptional. Still, the gorgeous scenery of a marble mosaic at the foot of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos will catch your eye. You will notice it represents a compass with a world map in the center.

The design of the compass was by Cristino da Silva and is 164 Ft (50m) in diameter. It was presented to the people of Portugal by the Republic of South Africa.

Location

Coast of Belém, very close to the Belém Tower.

Schedule

October – February: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

Mondays: closed

March – September: Every day from 10 am to 7 pm.

Closed: 1 January, 1 May, 25 December

Price

Adult: € 6 (US$ 6.40)

Youth Card: € 3 (US$ 3.20)

People over 65 years old: € 5 (US$ 5.40)

Children (less than 12 years old): free entrance