Tuesday 4 September 2012

MARINE TERRACE, FREMANTLE


On Marine Terrace, in the Esplanade Reserve of Fremantle, there is a monument to a Portuguese navigator. This commemorates explorer Vasco de Gama (1469 - 1525) the Portuguese navigator whose voyages linked Europe with the Indian Ocean. The monument designer is  John Kirkner, the ceramicist is  Edgar Naylor and the sculptor is Clare Bailey.

Vasco da Gama, was a Portuguese explorer, one of the most successful in the Age of Discovery and the commander of the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India. For a short time in 1524 he was the Governor of Portuguese India, under the title of Viceroy.
The monument was dedicated in 1997 and the  front inscription reads: "To commemorate the Portugese navigator Vasco de Gama, Whose voyages united Europe with the Indian Ocean  - Vasco de Gama 1469 – c 1525."
Opposite this is the Fremantle Maritime Museum.

A rather tangential entry to Julie's Taphophile Tragics meme,
and also part fo the Our World Tuesday meme.





8 comments:

  1. What a fascinating piece. Such a very, very different type of memorial.

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  2. What a fascinating piece. Such a very, very different type of memorial.

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  3. Lovely memorial, thanks for sharing.

    Beneath Thy Feet

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  4. I much prefer these types of original designed monuments than a statue. this one is beautiful.

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  5. the tiles make me think of Portugal - so appropriate.

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  6. Nice time to take pictures, such subdued light. - Margy

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  7. wow! a wonderful interesting place:)

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  8. I like the monument, even though I think Vasco da Gama only tangentially important to Australia. If we place Australia 'in our region' (a popular current expression) then he is important, I agree.

    I like the monument because it is diametrically opposed to all things Anglo. No soldier upon horse. No sailor with planted feet, looking through handglass. It is such a modern interpretation.

    I like the location too. Always liked that part of greater Perth.

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