Padrão dos Descobrimentos

This is part 3 entry of Belém (Lisbon).

The fifty-meter tall Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) shaped like a ship's prow, can be found on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary. For sure, it represents a romanticized idealization of Portuguese exploration!

That's where Vasco da Gama embarked on his voyage to India in 1497 and also where Christopher Columbus had to anchor his ships due to the storm on his way back to Spain after his triumphal discovery of the Americas. It's around 900 meters away from Belém Tower, BTW.

The monument was built in 1960 on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator's death. It should be noted that the monument we see today is the replica of the original one that was built for the Portuguese World Fair opening in June 1940. The original monument was demolished after the exposition. 

Great people on the western side

In total, there are 33 figures along two sides of the monument. That includes great people with a variety of occupations and each idealized figure is designed to show movement toward the unknown sea.

This is The Weekend in Black and White entry, 16th January 2015. and Shadow Shot Sunday 2. 

       

Have a wonderful weekend.

Museu da Electricidade

Photos taken in Belém (Lisbon) continue...

The electricity Museum was established in 1990. After going through rehabilitation, buildings and interiors were renovated in 2006. Since then visitors can experience and enjoy various cultural and scientific exhibits as part of the museum's initiatives to make science more fun and exciting. The permanent exhibition shows original machinery and educational spaces with demonstrations that can entertain visitors of all ages. 

When I got there, the museum was already closed, however, this was the first building that caught my attention while taking the tram. It is located just in front of a tram stop.

It's free of charge, and opens from 10 AM to 6 PM (closed on Monday).

Torre de Belém

Happy New Year!

The 1st entry of 2015 is from Lisbon. The photos were taken during my Christmas vacation in my beloved country, Portugal!

Torre de Belém is located in the southwesternmost civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém in the municipality of Lisbon. Belém is derived from the Portuguese word for Bethlehem. 

Along with Jerónimous Monastery, the Tower of Belém is registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower was built on a small island in the Tagus River near the Lisbon shore in the Age of Discoveries.

I enjoyed what the parish of Belém has to offer. There are numerous architectures and places for shooting - Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries), Museu Nacional de Arqueologia (National Archaeology Museum), Museum da Marinha (Navy Museum), Centro Cultural de Belém (Cultural Centre of Belém), Museu da Electricidade (Electricity Museum) and so on...  

Image from Wiki

Pastel de nata (egg tart pastry) was very yummy, BTW! It is a "must-visit" shop!