Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On the east side (closest to bridge—as you walk, notice the optical illusion of waves
on the flat cobbled surface), Vasco da Gama stands with his eyes on the horizon and his
hand on his sword. Magellan holds a circle, representing the round earth his ship circum-
navigated, while in front of him, Pedro Cabral puts his hand to his heart, thankful to have
(perhaps accidentally) discovered Brazil. Various monks, navigators with maps, and cru-
saders with flags complete the crew. Check out the pillory, decorated with the Portuguese
coat of arms and a cross, erected in each place discovered by the Portuguese—leaving no
doubt as to who was in charge.
In the
marble map in the pavement
(a gift from South Africa) in front of the Monu-
ment to the Discoveries, follow Portugal's explorers as they inched out into monster-in-
fested waters at the edge of the world. From their tiny, isolated nation in Europe, the Por-
tuguese first headed south to the coast of Morocco, conquering the Muslims of Ceuta in
God's name (1415), and gaining strategic control of the mouth of the Mediterranean. They
