Lisbon: Hub of the Age of Exploration

Timeline

1. 1415–1460Lisbon–Sagres navigational circle · PortugalUnder Prince Henry's impetus the Portuguese court used Lisbon as a command center, organizing gradual exploration along the West African coast, accumulating nautical charts, ship technology, and slave–gold trade experience; the estuary harbor became the provisioning and assembly point for expedition fleets.
2. 1481–1490Lisbon, Tagus estuary · LisbonAfter Dias's fleet proved the Cape of Good Hope route navigable in 1488, Lisbon became the logistics center for preparing a direct route to India; the crown consolidated navigational intelligence, improved the caravel fleet, attracted Italian and German navigational talent, and expanded port facilities to accommodate larger expedition fleets.
3. 1491–1500Lisbon · LisbonAfter Manuel I acceded in 1495, plans for the India route intensified; in 1497 da Gama sailed from Lisbon with four ships, rounding Africa to reach India; during this period the city's role as a hub for expedition planning, provisioning, and departure reached its peak, marking the southward shift of Europe's maritime trade center to the Atlantic.