Pioneer predecessorsĭuring the Renaissance, Portugal had a hard time. It was then in Portugal that the name of the discoverer of the sea route to India began to sound on the lips of local residents for the first time. He managed to capture the French ships, which took possession of the Portuguese caravel, which transported a large amount of jewelry and gold from Guinea. It is hard to overestimate what Vasco da Gama did at that time for his country. For the first time, as a military man and conqueror of the seas, he succeeded in 1492. Of course, the opening of the route to India is not the only achievement of the great navigator. Scientists assume that he received mathematical, navigational and astronomical knowledge in Evora, and one of his teachers was Abraham Zakuto.Īs a young man, he took an active part in naval battles. The available sources contain little information about the education of the traveler.
Young years and first successesĪt the age of 20, da Gama joined the Order of Santiago with his brothers. This passion was the impetus for further discoveries, and the skills came in handy when drawing maps. While studying at school, he became interested in the basics of navigation. This title was inherited by his descendants.įrom childhood, da Gama was fond of geography and sea travel. For example, Alvar Annish, who was the great-grandfather of the future conqueror of India, served King Afonso III, was a glorious fighter and knight. The da Gama clan, although it was not the richest and most noble in the kingdom, became famous for its famous ancestors, who were close to the royal families during the Renaissance. Vasco was the third child in the family and was friends with his older brothers, one of whom (Paulo) also took part in the voyage. Sir Estevan was responsible for supervising the execution of orders in the city entrusted to him. His father was a Portuguese knight and member of the Order of Santiago (Estevan da Gama), and his mother was a housewife (Isabel Sodre). In the short biography of Vasco da Gama, you can also find another version, which indicates that the traveler was born in 1469. For his achievements, he was awarded numerous awards and titles. As the commander of three expeditions, he was able to make many discoveries, defending the honor of his ships on the water in front of pirates and other ill-wishers. One of the most famous sailors, who was originally from Portugal, and the discoverer of the route from Europe to India, is Vasco da Gama, with whom every schoolchild is familiar thanks to geography lessons.