Lisbon: Descubridores Monument

    We had the very fortunate opportunity to visit the Descubridores Monument in Lisbon, Portugal. The monument we saw was large in stature, and appeared to be made of white stone. The statue is shaped like the prow of a ship, and overlooks the Tagus river. This symbolizes the Portuguese explorers who took voyages into uncharted waters. The men displayed are seen walking up the side of the stairs, almost pushing each up. The men are precisely carved, though display solemn expressions and are larger than they would be standing up. The men are see wearing traditional clothing for explores: cloaks, hats, and armor. 

    The Descubridores Monument in Lisbon, Portugal is historically important because it is a symbol of the Age of Discoveries. It is symbolic of the men that risked their lives to discover the world and uncover the unknown during the 15th and 16th centuries. These voyages helped establish trade routes and expand global knowledge of the earth, ocean and its coordinates. It's a powerful representation of Lisbon's contribution to sea exploration and the achievements that Portugal made during that time period. This monument is a symbol of the adventurous nature of Portuguese people and their determination to explore before the rest of the world.

    This statue significantly contributes to Lisbon as a cultural capital for several reasons. First off, it's architecture is nothing short of amazing and demands the attention of its spectators. Its prominent location and design provides an insight into the Age of discoveries and allows for education about Portuguese's explorations to occur. The monument is a symbol for Lisbon because it captures the pioneering that Portuguese explorers did in the 15th and 16th centuries, their stories, and their discoveries. It shows off Lisbon's history and leaves a legacy. Monuments like this one attract people from all over and is a visual representation of the roots Portugal has in Europe.




Comments

  1. Kaia HathawayJune 2, 2024 at 6:03 AM

    Nice post, Laynee! As you mentioned, this monument represents the New Age of exploration. Although this monument represents the good that came from the advancement of technology, it came at a cost. As noted in the lecture, the advancement of exploration led to things like slavery and colonialism. So, we see both sides of the issue.

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