Belem’s most iconic symbol is located on the north bank of the Tagus River. The Monument to the Discoveries was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator’s death. The 171-foot-tall monument that stands at the starting point for many of Portugal’s expeditions is shaped like a ship’s prow and consists of more than 30 statues of figures that played an essential role in the Discoveries, including Henry the Navigator leading the way, Vasco da Gama and Magellan. At the foot of the monument is a large marble map of the world charting Portuguese exploration.
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