Lisbon Maritime Museum

Entrance to Maritime Museum

The Lisbon Maritime Museum is located in one very large wing of  Jeronimo's Monastery. 
Of course, the Portuguese are and were masters of sailing.  Vasco de Gama completely changed the world when he found that famed route to India after decades of failure.  Long sought, the new spice trade was a huge economic boom for Portugal.  Allowing for one thing the construction of Jeronimos Monastery!

Figurehead on Vasco de Gama's ship

 Being present day sailors we are completely in awe of what it took for those sailors to achieve what they did.  We, of course, have charts, radar, sonar, radio communication, water makers, refrigeration...  the list goes on and on.  They had none of that, only nerves of steel!

Henry the Navigator

When you enter the Maritime Museum the first thing you see is a huge statue of Henry the Navigator.  Another very important person in Portuguese maritime history, Henry is known as the backbone and initiator of the "Age of Discovery". 

The museum did not disappoint.  We were pleasantly surprised by the vastness of the museum - it just went on and on.  Just when we thought we had seen the entire museum we stumbled on this room filled with ancient boats.  What a surprise! 

We could have easily spent the entire day at the Maritime Museum but as we were limited on time we moved on.  I believe we were all in agreement with our friend this is the nicest Maritime Museum we have ever seen.