Inaugurated in Lisbon on January 8, 1933, and designed by the brothers Francisco Ferreira and José Ferreira, the memorial to the Heroes of the Peninsular War represents the Portuguese triumph over the French Empire during the Peninsular War (1807-1814).
This period of conflict was the invasion of Spain and Portugal by Napoleon Bonaparte.
After several battles, the Portuguese, with the help of Britain and Spain, managed to drive away the French and secure the country.
This memorial shows the most important scenes of the reconquest, finishing with an allegory of the Portuguese triumphing over the French.
With Limestone at its base and a bronze top, the scenes depicted are rich in symbolism.
Starting from the top, militants and the populace capture the eagle (French Empire).
On the opposite side of the same scene, the flag of Portugal is handed to the Portuguese Patriarchy, which receives it in her left hand while raising her sword declaring victory.
The castle that supports the bronze display shows the coat of arms of the main cities involved in the war, the crown of the monarchy, and the Christian faith (click to expand the pictures).
At the level below made of limestone, we begin with the Portuguese people, the people of the sea (we can see waves at the base) swearing under oath to defend the homeland (friars, the military, and the populace).
We can also see a representation of the tomb and image of Vasco da Gama, the great Portuguese navigator and explorer.
Moving counterclockwise, we can see the following citation on the next face of the monument:
Weapons they will not leave, as long as life
Will not leave them or be lost by them;
The Lusiads - Camões - Canto IV Strophe XX
In the following sides, we will find more citations of The Lusiads, the Portuguese epic poetry written by Luís Vaz de Camões.
Please note that the original work is in Portuguese and the translations I provide do not do justice to the poetic genius of Camões.
On the same face, others are heading to battle, pulling artillery whilst being motivated by the general.
This is accompanied by the following strophe:
How? Of Portugal's illustrious people
Are there any who would refuse their homeland Mars?
Who denies the faith, love, effort and art
Of Portuguese, and for no respect,
The Kingdom itself would want to see subjected?
The Lusiads - Camões - Canto IV Strophe XV
On the next face, we see a lion rising from the rubble, possibly symbolizing the re-establishment of the Portuguese government on September 15, 1808, as it is written at the bottom.
Behind it, there is the representation of the tomb of Luís Vaz de Camões, with the following writing above it:
You will see love of country, not driven
By vile prize, but high and almost eternal:
The Lusiads - Camões - Canto I Strophe X
Facing the last side, we see the consequences of the war with the death and despair of the people: bodies lying around and deep sorrow for the devastated land.
This was the situation Portugal was forced to overcome.
They can be long forgotten
The deadly cruelties that Rome saw,
The Lusiads - Camões - Canto IV Stanza VI
Conclusion
With the foundation stone laid by King Manuel II on September 15, 1908, and inaugurated finally on January 8, 1933, this incredible memorial reminds us of the extreme tribulations that Portugal faced during the French invasion.
A history of suffering for the preservation of national identity that should always be remembered.
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