Description
During my trip to Lisbon, I had the opportunity to visit the Monument to the Overseas Combatants (Monumento os Combatentes do Ultramar), a site that offers both historical context and a striking architectural presence. It was dedicated to nearly 9,000 Portuguese soldiers who served in Africa during the Overseas War, a conflict tied to Portugal’s efforts to maintain its African colonies under the Estado Novo dictatorship led by Salazar. The regime was overthrown, marking a significant shift in Portuguese history.
Architecturally, the monument stands out as a clean, modernist design. It features tall stone pillars arranged in a way that creates a solemn yet open space for reflection. The design avoids ornamental excess, focusing instead on form and symbolism, which fits the nature of the memorial and Lisbon’s urban landscape. Visiting the monument provided a quiet moment to consider a complex chapter in Portugal’s past, one that is still subject to discussion and reflection today.






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