Monument to the Discoveries

We retraced our steps back past the Tower, and strolled along the riverbank to the outstanding Monument to the Discoveries.  This dramatic monument was first erected in 1940, and then permanently in 1960.  From a website:

"A stylised caravel seems to be setting out to sea, with Henry the Navigator in its prow. On the two lateral ramps ascending to the symbolic figure of the Prince are some of the significant characters of the Portuguese overseas expansion and cultural names from the age of the Discoveries, 32 in total, all portrayed with symbols that allude to their identity: navigators, cartographers, warriors, colonisers, missionaries, chroniclers and artists."

I just wish the weather was better.  Like everything else, the photos and views would be much more dramatic on a sunny day.  Photos on rainy days don't get the pop.  According to everyone we've talked to, this is the worst stretch of weather Lisbon has had all year long.  Anyhow, here's too many photos of one of the most impressively done monuments we've ever seen.  And we've seen a lot.

The monument from a distance

Pretty cool symbol of the city.

Henry the Navigator, holding a 

caravel; the ships that made

Portugal rich.  The seagull on his

hat gives an idea of how big the

sculpture of Henry is.

Group shot!

Queen Phillipa, Henry's British mother.

Luis de Camoes, famous poet who

traveled with da Gama to India.

After a bit of a wait to get in, we took the elevator up, then climbed the 42 stairs to the roof.  It was a very narrow area, which explains why they were slow to let people go up it.  

Here are some of the views from the top:

Tower of Belem

Sailing class, buffeted by the wind and waves.

Prince Henry's head from above.

And his seagull buddy.

The Monastery of Jeronimos

A quick way to travel around the world.

The front from ground level.