Lisbon’s Museu de Marinha illustrates how the sea power of the relatively small nation of Portugal had a defining impact on world history. The Museu was founded in 1863 by King Luis I of Portugal—the only Portuguese king who actually commanded ships—who was at sea, serving as captain of a frigate, when he ascended to the throne. Since 1962, the Museu de Marinha has been housed in the west end of the Jerdnimos Monastery, a large and gracefully ornate structure built by King Manuel I in the late 15th century. The monastery is one of Europe’s leading examples of Manueline architecture, and is one of the principal historic sites in Lisbon.
On entering the museum, the visitor is greeted—perhaps confronted—by a large statue of Prince Henry the Navigator, suitably positioned in a teaching attitude. Renowned maritime author Alan Villiers called Prince Henry . . the man who first coaxed cautious Europe onto the broad highway of the sea.”
In the Museu, art and artifacts from a broad spectrum of Portuguese maritime history, including naval and merchant marine matters, fishing, and oceanography, are exhibited. Its oldest artifact, a carved wooden statue of the Archangel Raphael, accompanied Vasco da Gama aboard his flagship, the Sao Gabriel, on his voyage of discovery to India in 1497.
Padraos (stone columns erected to establish Portuguese possession of “new” lands), ancient charts, historic aircraft, paintings of naval battles, portraits, ship models, weapons, statues and other objects define Portugal’s ongoing relationship with the sea. The collection of ancient tools of navigation highlights the risks faced by the discoverers of early global sea routes, including a 15th- century astrolabe and a globe made by Willem Jansz Blaue.
Among the Museu’s most interesting models are those of caravels. It is believed that the designs for these ships were developed at Prince Henry’s school at Sagres and built at the nearby port of Lagos. They combined the powerful combat and sturdy cargo-carrying abilities of the European ships of the time with the weatherliness of the Arab dhows. The caravels’ resulting balance of durability, range, and sailing qualities—especially the ability to go to windward—was an important element of the Age of Discovery’s technology.
Two small paintings hold particular interest for students of the career of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, victor at the battles of the Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries. One is a portrait of Nelson, and the other is of Admiral Marques de Nisa, one of the most famous admirals of the Portuguese Navy. Nisa commanded a Portuguese squadron that operated with Nelson in the Mediterranean against the naval forces of Napoleon.
Two rooms are devoted to fishing—an ongoing factor in Portugal’s daily life for centuries. Included are ship models ranging from traditional to modem and an unusual collection of flags representing associations of Portuguese fishermen.
Within a few hundred yards of the Museu are two major maritime sites that are open to the public. The Monument to the Discoveries was dedicated in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry’s death. This immense white- stone edifice is more than 160 feet high, and it contains carved representations of Prince Henry and 32 of those who were influenced by him, including Dias, da Gama, and Magellan. Also nearby is the Tower of Belem, constructed between 1515 and 1520. The Tower is another superb example of Manuelin architecture, and is considered by many to be Portugal’s most recognizable landmark.
The Museu de Marinha and surrounding neighborhood provide a unique window on some of the most significant people, technical developments, and events that helped define the world’s maritime history.
