Monument to the Discoveries

The fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were the height of Portugal's prowess on the seas and discovery of colonies and new trade routes. Controversial as some of that history is, a monument was built to commemorate Portugal's power and innovation. Padrão dos Descobrimentos or Monument of Discoveries is a huge structure made to resemble a ship. Built on the bank of the Tejo River near its mouth opening to the sea it's now reached into the water.

The first thing you see as you approach the 152-foot structure is a sword—it defines the "stern" of the monument. To my thinking it represents that "Might is Right" philosophy.

While Ruth was admiring the inlaid marble stonework map of the world, a reporter approached her. Amelia was collecting material for a TV documentary outlining the divide in Portuguese society regarding their colonial history. One side proclaiming and celebrating the victories, conquests and accomplishments while the other bemoaning the oppression and suffering propagated by the conquest of indigenous people and the slave trade.

Ruth proposed that history not be ignored, but that the richness brought to Portuguese society from other cultures be acknowledged and celebrated and shared. She also mentioned that we are dealing with a similar situation in Canada between settler and indigenous peoples. She mentioned the model of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights that tries to bring light to the issues by describing the facts in an open and honest way. We also talked about how those who have benefited from historical circumstances, acknowledge those benefits and make those benefits available to all.Read more