Portuguese Discovery Monument at Brenton Point State Park: The meaning behind its shape

Rachael Perrotta
·2 min read

Nestled on the corner of Brenton Point State Park lies the Portuguese Discovery Monument.

If you’ve been to Brenton Point, you probably have walked past the monument numerous times, wondering about the meaning of the spaced out stone objects. They are dedicated to Portuguese maritime navigators from the 1500s and 1600s, known as the “Golden Age of Maritime Exploration.” During this period, Portugal led the pack in such exploration. Its location at Brenton Point is meant to honor this heritage, as the area is said to resemble Portugal’s Sagres Point, where Prince Henry the Navigator and others began their maritime journeys to the east.

In fact, the memorial was also designed with Sagres Point in mind, with the two-thirds circle of 14 stone objects meant to mimic the larger-than-life compass implemented on the ground at Sagres Point. The objects are arranged in this manner to represent how the navigators discovered two-thirds of the maritime sea routes during the Golden Age of Maritime Exploration.

The Portuguese Monument at Brenton Point State Park is dedicated to Portuguese maritime navigators from the 1500s and 1600s, known as the “Golden Age of Maritime Exploration.”
The Portuguese Monument at Brenton Point State Park is dedicated to Portuguese maritime navigators from the 1500s and 1600s, known as the “Golden Age of Maritime Exploration.”

The largest marker of the monument – the pillar in the middle – signifies how maritime explorers leave behind a “mark” everywhere they go. To round out the monument, an object resembling an armillary sphere represents how such spheres are a symbol of Portugal.

Portugal’s ambassador to the United States visited the monument in 2018 during its 30th anniversary celebration. He emphasized how the monument reflects not only the accomplishments of the maritime explorers but also the new home they found and the legacies they began here in the United States, specifically Newport.

For a more involved look at the monument yourself, you can schedule a guided tour during the summer and early fall. If you’d rather explore its history at your own pace, you can also access a self-tour guide on the monument’s website.

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This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: What's Great Off 138: Portuguese Discovery Monument at Brenton Point