Padrão dos Descobrimentos ("Monument of the Discoveries") is located along the Tagus river, in Belém, where Portuguese ships used to depart to explore distant oceans and trade with colonies as well as with several commercial partners worldwide. It pays homage to the Age of Discovery, in the 15th and 16th centuries, when Portugal was the most powerful nation on Earth, with an Empire that reached all continents.

This monument was conceived in 1939 and inaugurated one year later, during the Portuguese World Exhibition. It was initially built as a temporary construction, but later in 1958, it became a permanent landmark in Lisbon's skyline.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos features 33 individual statues representing figures who, directly or indirectly, contributed to Portugal's naval conquests, including navigators, writers, scientists, missionaries and monarchs.