PRINCE HENRY THE NAVIGATOR
Date: illegible - in the Maritime Museum's collection since 1969
Esculptor: Leopoldo Neves de Almeida
Material: Plaster
Dimension: Height: 3000 mm, Length: 1850 mm, Width 1800 mm
Inventory No.: MM.06248
He was born in Porto, on 4 March 1394, and died in Sagres, on 13 November 1460. The son of King João I and Philippa of Lancaster is one of the most emblematic figures in Portuguese history.
He was ordered by the King to organise the forces from northern Portugal that participated in the Conquest of Ceuta, in 1415. As a result of his success in conquering that city, King João I bestowed upon him the title of 1st Duke of Viseu. He was the driving force behind the first voyages across the Atlantic Ocean and along the West African coast.
Prince Henry is the patron of the Naval Academy, whose mission is to train Portuguese Navy officers under his motto - 'Talent de Bien Faire'.