THE MONUMENT
Designed by architect Cottinelli Telmo (1897 – 1948) and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida (1898 – 1975), the Padrão dos Descobrimentos was first erected in 1940, in an ephemeral way and integrated in the Portuguese World Exhibition. Built in perishable materials, it had a light structure of iron and cement, the sculptural composition being molded into a staff (mixture of plaster and tow species, consolidated by wooden or iron frame or railing).
In 1960, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the death of Infante D. Henrique, the Padrão is reconstructed in concrete and stone from Leiria’s rosal stone, and the limestone sculptures from Sintra. In 1985 it was inaugurated as Centro Cultural das Descobertas. The architect Fernando Ramalho remodeled the interior, providing the Standard with a viewpoint, auditorium and exhibition rooms.
Isolated and highlighted on the wall on the banks of the Tagus, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos evokes the Portuguese overseas expansion, synthesizes a glorious past and symbolizes the greatness of the work of Infante D. Henrique, the driver of the discoveries.
A stylized caravel is made to the sea, leading Infante D. Henrique to the bow and some of the protagonists (32) of the overseas gesture and the culture of the time, navigators, cartographers, warriors, colonizers, evangelizers, chroniclers and artists, are portrayed with the symbols that individualize them.
A stylized mast, with North – South orientation, has two Portuguese shields on each side, with five corners, surrounded by a strip with 12 castles and in the center several fleur-de-lis. On the mast, three triangular, curved structures are sweetened on each face, giving the illusion of sails blown by the wind.
The north face is formed by two masonry giants, where you can see inscriptions in metallic letters:
On the left side, on an anchor: TO THE INFANT D. HENRIQUE AND THE PORTUGUESE THAT DISCOVERED THE PATHWAYS OF THE SEA;
On the opposite side, on a laurel wreath: ON THE V CENTENARY OF INFANT D. HENRIQUE 1460 – 1960.
In the center, a set of nine steps gives access to an atrium overlooking the entire area surrounding the Standard. A second flight of five stairs, a portal with a round arch and a frame formed by the staves, gives access to the interior of the monument.
The Monument is flanked by two armillary spheres in metal, on two parallelepiped platforms.
Technical characteristics:
Height – 56m; Width – 20m; Length – 46m; Foundations – 20m
Central figure (Infante) – 9m Side figures (32) – 7m
The mission of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos
The mission of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos is to manage, safeguard and enhance the heritage complex: monument and wind rose. Encourages discussion around the theme of the monument as a testimony to the memory of a cultural and heritage identity inseparable from the History of the Portuguese Expansion and its presence in the world.
It also ensures knowledge, debate, and dissemination of the History of the Monument to the Discoveries, and of the various mentors, who, from a political, cultural, and artistic point of view, contributed to its implementation, representation and form in the plan designed for the Exhibition from 1940, later reconstruction in 1960, to the present.
It promotes the access of the various audiences to the monument and to the cultural and pedagogical projects it develops, providing new experiences, learning, knowledge and fruition.
Schedules
Time
from Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm)
Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm (last entry 12:30 pm)
November to February – Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm)
March to October – every day from 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6:30 pm)
Closes January 1; 1st May; December 24, 25 and 31
