STATUE DE VASCO DE GAMA

The statue of Vasco da Gama that stands in the square of São Paulo was erected in 1956 in honor of the Portuguese navigator. It was during his long voyage to India that Vasco da Gama stopped over on the island of Mozambique, in 1498. This is how he placed this small island on the map of the western world. From then on, it became a strategic stopover for navigation on the route to India, between Lisbon and Goa. It became a Portuguese trading post, and was also a port of anchorage for all ships delayed and lost due to the monsoon.