Monumento de Lifau

The Lifau Monument, located in the town of Lifau in Oecusse municipality, Timor-Leste, is a striking bronze caravel that commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese arrival on the island of Timor. This historical site marks the first Portuguese presence in Timor, established by Dominican friars in 1515. Lifau was the first capital of Portuguese Timor, which remained a colony until 1975. The monument, designed by António Veladas and Joaquim de Brito, stands 13 meters long and weighs eight tonnes, symbolizing the rich maritime history and cultural encounters of the region. Visitors can explore the monument alongside the nearby Padrão, enhancing their understanding of Timor's colonial past.