History, Sea, and Regattas
The Associação Naval de Lisboa (ANL) was founded in 1856 under the name Real Associação Naval, with the patronage of King D. Pedro V. Its first Commodore was Prince D. Luís. At the time, its objective was to promote the construction and navigation of recreational boats and to encourage the enjoyment of regattas in Portugal. After the establishment of the republican regime, the institution’s name was changed to Associação Naval de Lisboa.
It is the oldest sports club in Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula, ranking among the thirty oldest nautical clubs in Europe.
Another enduring goal of the club has been to promote nautical competitions. The ANL has organized the most important sailing events, notably ocean regattas since 1880. Currently, the ANL remains a certified sailing school offering initiation, improvement, and competitive courses for children, youth, and adults in dinghy sailing, cruising, and adapted sailing. It hosts around 20 cruising regattas annually.
The Mural
The mural in the former D. Manuel I room, painted by Miguel Barrias for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition, depicts the Portuguese Embassy to Pope Leo X in 1514. The ANL headquarters is housed in the former Discoveries Pavilion from that exhibition.
D. Manuel I, known as “The Fortunate,” sought papal recognition to consolidate Portuguese sovereignty and demonstrate control over trade in the Indian Ocean. The delegation, led by Tristão da Cunha, impressed Rome with a grand parade, including a white elephant and jewels as gifts to Pope Leo X. His reign (1495–1521) marked the height of the Discoveries and Portuguese diplomatic expansion.
The Pope and the elephant Hanno became friends, often compared for their size and form. After Hanno’s death, the Pope ordered him buried on sacred ground. In 1960 and 1980, elephant bones were discovered in the Vatican.
