Treasures from the Portuguese Maritime Museum

This map occupies the furthest wall at the entrance of the Maritime Museum, showing the main voyages accomplished by Portuguese navigators as well as the meridian defined by the “Treaty of Tordesillas”.

Positioned at the center of the Maritime Museum's entrance and surrounded by several Portuguese explorers that commenced the Portuguese Atlantic adventure, Prince Henrique’s “the Navigator” statue stands as a testament to his role as one of the first and most important proponents of the Portuguese Discoveries.

The advances in Portuguese shipbuilding during the Early Modern period were key to the success of the exploratory voyages completed in what became known as the Discoveries. Is usually seen as the main example in said advances, becoming a symbol of Portuguese Discoveries.

Sculpted in wood, this statuette was part of one of the most important voyages in both Portuguese and global maritime history: the discovery of the sea route between Europe and India, in 1498. It is the most important material testimony of this trip, commanded by Vasco da Gama.

The development of astronomical navigation was fundamental for increasing the safety of ocean voyages undertaken by the Portuguese in the period of the Discoveries. Currently, the Maritime Museum has one of the richest collections of nautical astrolabes on display in the world.

Copy of the original found in the Biblioteca Estense in Modena, Italy. Through this map, the scope of the Portuguese Discoveries is clear, showing how in just under 100 years the Portuguese had increased their geographical knowledge to the point of creating a world map in which, the represented lands, people, fauna and flora, are recognizable by today's standards. 

This was the largest Portuguese “Nau” (Indiaman) to ever complete the India Run and one of the largest ships in the world when it was built. On its final voyage, was captured by English Pirates who, fascinated by the sheer magnitude of it, sailed the ship back do England.

On July 5th, 1833, during the Portuguese Liberal Wars, a naval battle took place off the coast of the Cape St. Vincent, in the south of Portugal, between the liberals and the absolutists. It was the last battle fought exclusively between portuguese sailing ships.

Built in the royal shipyard in Daman, in the former Estado da Índia, between 1832 and 1845, was the last solely wind-powered vessel of the Portuguese Navy and was the last Indiaman to complete the India Run that linked Portugal to the Indian Ocean for the three centuries previously.

Built at the Fratelli Orlando Shipyard, in Livorno, it was a powerfully armed warship, which appeared at the end of the 19th century, as result of the need to renew the Portuguese naval fleet. It played a key role in several important periods in the Portuguese history, such as the establishment of the Republic.

Republican flag hoisted aboard the cruiser “Adamastor”, act that gave the signal for the beginning of the revolution. The Portuguese Republic was proclaimed on October 5, 1910, putting an end to the monarchical regime that had been in force since the beginning of nationality.

Lifeboat that carried the Augusto de Castilho survivors from the fight against the german submarine U-139. Combat occurred on October 14, 1918, where the Commander of "Augusto Castilho", Lieutenant Carvalho de Araújo, as well as six other crew elements lost their lives. Lothar von Arnaud de la Perière commanded the U-139, considered the best submariner of all times. 

Commissioned by the Portuguese Navy on the 10th of December 1959, this launch had an important role in the Navy’s final engagements in India, during the Indian invasion of Portuguese Diu, in 1961.

Until recently, water streams were the main forms of communication between different peoples and places. One of the models that best represents this aspect is the “Cacilheiro” dinghy, an important vessel to the lives of the people in the Tagus estuary – so much so that its name has been passed down to the current ferries in the river. 

Built in 1938 at the Haan Oerlmans shipyards, in Netherlands, for “Parceria Geral de Pescarias Ltdª”, the “Argus” lugger represents the continuation of the construction of metallic ships for long-distance fishing in Portugal, namely, one of the foods that is still present on Portuguese tables today, the codfish.

Coastal fishing is a type of fishing that is carried out, as a rule, with the coast in sight, this being a very old type of fishing that predates the very existence of Portugal, which remains today and is part of the Portuguese tradition.

It appeared in the 17th century and was a fishing vessel used by fishermen from the estuaries on the south bank of the Tagus River (Seixal, Barreiro and Moita), who crossed the bar to cast nets between Cabo da Rocha and Cabo Espichel.

This room is considered to be one of the extravagant spaces of the Maritime Museum, dedicated to the royal chambers of the yacht “Amélia”, the luxurious rooms of king Carlos and queen-consort Amélie of Orleans, salvaged from the yacht when it was paid off by the Navy in 1938.

One of the most imposing objects in the Barge Pavilion and one of the most important elements of the collection of the Maritime Museum, this royal vessel built at the end of the 18th century helps to understand the strong connection that has always existed between the royal families and the sea.

View of the interior of the Royal Bergantim.

Other perspective of the interior of the Royal Bergantim’s Royal Chamber.

View of the interior of the Royal Bergantim’s Royal Chamber.

It was the third seaplane of the “Fairey” type (No. 17) used in the First Air Crossing of the South Atlantic, starring Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral. It was transported from Lisbon to Fernando de Noronha Island in June 1922, thus completing the Air Crossing between Lisbon an Rio de Janeiro. Upon completion of the trip, was baptized "Santa Cruz".