The birth of Prince Henry, The Navigator – Today, 623 years ago!

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THE INVENTOR OF THE DISCOVERIES AND ONE OF THE MOST RELEVANT PEOPLE IN WORLD HISTORY!

4.03.2017 – THIS DAY IN HISTORY

623 years ago today, a portuguese prince was born – Prince Henry, The Navigator! A prince that although he was never king, became one of the most important figures of both Portuguese and world history. Initiator of the Great Maritime Discoveries his epithet is the navigator and his history is entwined with many Portuguese cities: Lisbon, Oporto, Tomar, Lagos and Sagres. In Lisbon, Prince Henry is remembered in the Monument of the Discoveries and the Maritime Museum.

Prince Henry’s life is remembered by his determination in discovering what had never been seen before.

Born in Oporto, he became Duke of Viseu at 21 years old, after being part of the conquest of Ceuta, where he was knighted. Since then he was the motivator, financer and strategist the Age of the Discoveries.

Favourite son of Portuguese King John I and british mother (Philippa of Lancaster), at 26 Prince Henry was appointed governor of the Order of Christ. And he transforms the military house in Tomar into a convent – Convent of Christ – part of UNESCO Heritage of Mankind and that can be visited today.

THE CAPE OF FEAR IS MASTERED, WHERE THE WORLD ENDED…

For many years several expeditions departed from Portugal to discover the southern seas, with a main challenging of crossing the feared Cape Bojador, believed to be the end of the world. Over one decade later and 15 arduous attempts, cape Bojador is finally mastered in 1434 by Gil Eanes. The long-held myth was overcome and fear no longer an issue and explorations continued the following years into Guiné, Cape Vert and beyond, always whit the Cross of the Order of Christ adorning its sails.

Prince Henry’s vision and determination overcame and era of fear and was an instigator of courage and pride of the portuguese spirit.

Entrepreneur by nature, he was aware of the need to technologically evolve and a new Portuguese sailing ship was developed – the caravel with a stronger hull and a triangular sail that enabled it to sail against the wind and new navigational instruments were introduced such as the Quadrant.

At 66 Prince Henry dies in Sagres and his legacy goes to his nephew D. Fernando. Today his tomb can be visited in Batalha Monastery, 120Kms north of Lisbon.

 

VISIT LISBON AND LEARN MORE ABOUT PRINCE HENRY, THE NAVIGATOR AND OTHER HEROES THAT DISCOVERED THE WORLD!

In Lisbon you can learn more about Prince Henry is the Monument of the Discoveries, at the Maritime Museum or in Ancient Art Museum where you can find him in the masterpiece “Painéis de São Vicente”.

Come aboard Caravel on Wheels and discover Lisbon history while sightseeing and navigating throught the streets of Lisbon.

Enjoy our opentop bus, our interactive screens in every seat and relax on a video-guided, multimedia tour where we will uncover many Lisbon secrets. Book Now or contact us to know more!

 

Know more about this amazing time in Portuguese history, in english, in:

For Kids, learn more online:

Study.com, The Age of Exploration

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Are you planning a trip to Lisbon, Portugal?

Learn more about our Caravel on Wheels Lisbon city tour, a unique bus tour guided by video where you will learn more about Prince Henry the Navigator and many more Portuguese heroes while sightseeing in Lisbon. Book our Best of Lisbon city tour on the caravel touristic bus for sightseeing in Lisbon.

Special private tours for groups and special programmes for Educational tours for students and School trips in Lisbon.

And when in Lisbon… learn history while sightseeing with our Caravel on Wheels historical tour![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”9962,9972,9982,6269″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row]