Porto: Prince Henry the Navigator – Plaque

Prince Henry the Navigator
Photographed at Praça do Infante D. Henrique in Porto, Portugal, this image shows an informative plaque describing the Monument to Prince Henry the Navigator (1394–1460), with the monument itself visible in the background.

According to the plaque, construction of the monument began in 1894 in the presence of King Carlos I of Portugal, as part of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry’s birth. Designed by Portuguese sculptor Tomás Costa, the monument was inaugurated in 1900.

The bronze statue depicts Prince Henry dressed as a warrior, standing beside a globe and pointing symbolically toward overseas territories. At the base of the imposing stone pedestal are two allegorical sculptural groups representing the triumph of Portuguese navigation and faith.

Prince Henry, who was born in Porto, played an important role in sponsoring Portuguese maritime expeditions during the 15th century. The modern Ponte do Infante Dom Henrique, one of the six bridges spanning the Douro River between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, is named in his honor.

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