Monument First landing attempt of the Liberal Squadron - Vila do Conde

The Padrão da Memória (Memorial Monument) is a monument to the first attempt of Pedro's liberal troops to land at the mouth of the Ave River on July 8, 1832.

This attempt was thwarted by the refusal of Brigadier Cardoso de Menezes, governor of the fortress of São João Baptista, forcing the six dozen boats to sail further south to make a second attempt. After passing through the pine forests south of the Ave, they finally landed at Pampelido. These thousands of liberals were nicknamed "Bravos do Mindelo".

The column inscribes the historic words spoken by André Silva: " Soldados! Aquelas praias são as do malfadado Portugal " ("Soldiers! These are the beaches of ill-fated Portugal.")

Willem Vandenameele