This is a unique monument in the city of Lisbon, which harks back to the Portuguese expansion. It was built in 1940 from a design by Cottinelli Telmo and Leopoldo de Almeida for the Portuguese World Exhibition. It was rebuilt in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator and then remodelled in 1985. At that time, it was supplied with an auditorium, exhibition halls and a magnificent over 50-metre-high terrace/viewpoint with a unique view over the river and the city.
Its activities are related to the theme of the monument itself, with exhibitions, conferences, documentaries and educational service activities, such as guided tours and other events aimed at all audiences.
In the paved area that gives access to the monument, a Compass Rose (Rosa dos Ventos) stands out immediately. It was inaugurated on August 5, 1960, designed in architect Luís Cristino da Silva’s studio, and offered by the Republic of South Africa, which joined the celebrations in tribute to Henry the Navigator.
