Navy Museum, Maritime museum in Belém, Portugal
The Navy Museum in Belém is a repository of maritime history objects, showcasing ships, navigation, and everything connected to seafaring life. The building occupies a wing of the Jerónimos Monastery and displays thousands of artifacts spanning multiple centuries.
The museum was founded in 1863 as a royal archive protecting Portugal's maritime treasures. It relocated to its current location in 1962, making the collection more accessible to the public.
The museum shows how maritime exploration shaped Portuguese identity and remains a place where visitors can understand the nation's deep connection to the sea. You can see original maps and navigation tools that merchants and sailors actually used on their voyages.
Access is through the Jerónimos Monastery complex, and you can explore the collection in a couple of hours since the layout is straightforward. Wear comfortable shoes since the exhibition spans multiple levels and rooms.
The museum houses the original seaplane Santa Cruz, which made the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in 1922. This aircraft is a rare example of early aviation history intertwined with Portugal's maritime legacy.
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