Consider Queen Filipa de Lencastre for a moment. She is the only woman immortalized on Lisbon’s Discoveries Monument. Today, we find ourselves in Praça Dona Filipa. This garden offers a moment to reflect on Filipa and Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
Praça Dona Filipa offers a small neighborhood garden. It is an area of calm amid Lisbon’s vibrant atmosphere. The garden spans just 0.13 hectares. It provides a green retreat for locals and visitors.
Queen Filipa de Lencastre was Prince Henry the Navigator’s mother. The Discoveries Monument stands in Belém. It honors those who shaped Portugal’s maritime exploration. Filipa is a key figure. She represents the strength and influence of women during this transformative era. The monument’s concept shows a vessel setting out to sea. Prince Henry stands at its prow.
Built initially as a temporary structure in 1940, the Discoveries Monument celebrated the Portuguese World Exhibition. It honored Prince Henry the Navigator. He had died 500 years prior. In 1960, it was rebuilt using concrete and limestone. It became a lasting symbol of the Age of Discovery.
The monument’s design resembles a caravel. It has three large sails billowing in the wind. Thirty-three historical figures line its sides. They represent navigators, cartographers, and other key people. Only one of them is a woman. That is Queen Filipa de Lencastre.
At the front of the monument, Prince Henry holds a boat. He also holds a map. He symbolizes Portugal’s ambition to explore the world. The figures behind him are each seven meters tall. The entire monument measures 56 meters in height.
Inside the monument, an auditorium shows a video about its history. Visitors can take an elevator to the top. There they can enjoy panoramic views of Belém. The marble map below shows the routes of Portuguese voyages. The map was a gift from South Africa. It recalls Portugal’s rounding of the Cape of Good Hope.
Filipa de Lencastre’s inclusion highlights her importance. She was the daughter of John of Gaunt. She married King John I of Portugal. She bore several influential children including Prince Henry.
Praça Dona Filipa offers a peaceful space to contemplate Filipa’s legacy. This small garden provides tables for quiet reflection. It remains open 24 hours. It invites everyone to connect with history.
As you sit here, consider the weight of history. Think about the individuals who shaped Portugal’s identity. Filipa de Lencastre stands as a symbol of wisdom. She also stands for royal duty. Her presence on the Discoveries Monument ensures her story endures.
Praça Dona Filipa serves as a reminder that history exists all around us. The monument is a short distance away. It celebrates Portugal’s maritime achievements. This garden provides a space to honor the figures who made it possible. Filipa de Lencastre’s legacy continues to inspire.