Monument to the Discoveries

Compass Rose in Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Together with the Belém Tower and the Hieronymites Monastery , you should enjoy this 52 metre high monument, erected in 1960 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of one of Portugal’s great discoverers, Prince Henry the Navigator, who discovered Madeira, Los Azores and Cape Verde.

The Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) comprises a group of sculptures in the form of the prow of a caravel, on top of which the Prince leads the way for many characters that were involved in Portugal’s great discoveries.

Viewing Point from the Monument to the Discoveries

If you’d like to take in the panorama of Belém from up high, you can go up this monument. You can go up the monument in the lift.

From this vantage point you can see the Belém monument, the city’s Western neighbourhoods and, most importantly, a marble mosaic at the foot of the monument which represents a compass, in whose centre we find a world map.

The compass is 50 metres in diameter, and was designed by Cristino da Silva. It was a gift from the Republic of South Africa.

Location

Close to Belém Tower.

Hours

October through April: Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 6pm.
May through September: 10am to 7pm.

Admission

Adult: €2.50.
Junior (7-18), Young Card and Senior: €1.50.
Lisboa Card: 30%.
Child (<7): free entrance.

Transport

Tram: line 15.
Bus: 28, 714, 727, 729 and 751.
Train: Belem, Cascáis Line.

Map

Closest attractions

Archaeology Museum (0.27 miles)
Hieronymites Monastery (0.28 miles)
National Coach Museum (0.42 miles)
Belém (0.52 miles)
Belém Tower (0.57 miles)

Hotels nearby

Pestana Palace Hotel & National Monument
(1.23 miles)
Hotel Jeronimos 8
(0.32 miles)
Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
(0.26 miles)
Setubalense
(0.31 miles)