Vasco da Gama Pillar — Attraction in Shella ward

If you know the story behind it, it is a very interesting place .....

Vasco Da Gama. In the fifteenth century Europe lost its access to the great trade routes to the east. New access routes were sought by various nations ..... Portugal was one of those nations ..... First they tried to cross Africa from west to the east to team up with Prester John they believed was reigning there in Abyssinia.... which was a predominant catholic stronghold in those days (now Ethiopia) ..... They failed miserably..... getting stranded in the forests facing elephants and other monsters. Sailing south was a problem .... The prevailing winds were taking them west ..... They almost reached south Amerika without knowing. Vasco sailed in 1497 to aim south hoping to find a route east ..... staying close to the coast he actually managed to sail south and reached the southernmost point of Africa they named later 'cape of good hope' and rounded it finding himself in a new unknown ocean..... Barteolmeas Dias reached there before in 1988 but was forced back due to bad weather. Sailing north Vasco reached a great river delta in what now is Mozambique. .... the Portugese being an arrogant people were soon forced to leave ..... the same happened in other places along the east coast of Africa. Eventually they ended up in Malindi... Also here there was a lot of friction but the local leaders were able to keep the peace. The Portugese put up a large cross in the middle of town ..... The local people all moslims .... were not amused. ... but let it be ..... Sailing to India was no problem for them ..... so they got Vasco two guides just to get rit of him .... and indeed after 23 days he reached India .... a new route was established. .... The people of Malindi wanted to get rid of the cross but did not dare to destroy it .... so they put it out onto the fossil reef south of town .... So there it is .... a witness of a long forgotten yourney. ..... 170 sailed ... only 56 returned home in 1499..... The Portugese never got any proceeds from their yourneys ...... corruption took...

Vasco Da Gama pillar is a historical monument or site in the Kenyan coast in Malindi , the monument dates backs to pre-Colonial time , in the 14th century, it located on the sea front road along the beach , the pillar was built by one of the greatest Portuguese explorer by the name Vasco Da Gama, who happened to be at Malindi Kenya back then , and thus the name of historical monuments Vasco Da Gama. Malindi was well know for trade. The trans-saharan trade route, trading goods included, gold,salt, precious,metals, such as copper and iron used for making weapon's and farming tools, other goods were ivory, spices, material such as skins,cloth and leather, and slaves from Africa were consider a special "commodity" so sad, to consider humans as a commodity...back to Vasco da gama pillar , the monument was erected in 1498 by the explorer Vasco Da Gama, the pillar was first erected at the sheiks house but later removed and re-erect where it is today as per our beautiful picture, please take a second look again. The pillar and the cross are both made from original Portuguese limestones material. The monument has become the most renown attraction site for both local and international tourist visiting Malindi ...other major site to visit while in Malindi include the Gede Ruins, Mida Creeks, Arabuko sokoke National Reserve, the Malindi Marine national park...

Vasco da Gama pillar is one of the points of pride of Malindi built by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498. The Vasco da Gama Pillar is named after Vasco da Gama, one of the most famous and celebrated explorers of the Age of Discovery.

Vasco da Gama pillar is right at the shores of Coco beach on Silversand Road. We went at noon, which with the sun can make you dehydrated, and advised you to hydrate a lot. It's shocking to know that the tides can get high to a point that the pillar is inaccessible at some times. There has been a concern about the water levels and at the time of the visit, the walls surrounding the pillar looked new to protect the pillar from rising water levels. It was nothing less of a learning experience about the rich history of Malindi.

The entrance fee is Kes 100 per person that you use to access the pillar, Portuguese Chapel, House of Chapel, and Malindi Museum with guides...