Historic Churches in Kilifi County
Vasco da Gama Pillar: Cross or Sword?
South of the Portuguese Chapel, atop a coastal bluff at the edge of a peninsula, stands the Vasco da Pillar, the best known and best preserved of the Portuguese pillars in East Africa. In January 1498, Vasco da Gama’s exploratory voyage had reached the island and town of Mozambique, now under the influence of Kilwa, where he bombarded the town, before sailing to the Kenyan coast. News of his atrocities preceded his arrival at Mombasa, where he received a hostile welcome.
The flare warranting a short stay, da Gama set off northwards to Malindi, the arch-rival of Mombasa, where he arrived on April 14, 1498 to a rather friendly welcome. A friendship developed with the king of Malindi, or Melinda, as he liked to call it. The king became a faithful subject of the Portuguese King. Malindi would, in time, become the seat of the viceroy in East Africa. Vasco Da Gama erected his padrão, or pillar, a beacon with a cross bearing the coat of arms of the Portuguese king, on his return from India in 1499. It was taken down later in 1501 by objecting Muslims.
Its obvious symbolizing of Christianity, a religion foreign in most parts of Africa at a time when the Papacy was embroiled in bitter rivalry the Mohamemedans in the flourishing spice trade, was unwelcome if not unwanted. The Portuguese elected a replica that survived. Subsequently, it was set in concrete in the 19th century by a British naval captain to preserve it for the sake of prosperity and navigation aid.
The new style of this pillar made it unusual in the history of Portuguese pillars. Also known as padrōes, these salient pillars were slim columns, with very few exceptions. “It’s very possible that the column broke into pieces during the action of the Muslims. The upper could be the original cross and that it was saved. The conical cross is now the base for the original cross” – Hans-Martin Sommer.
Some say that the pillar depicts a trimmed down version of a ship, or, as others have suggested, that it resembles a giant sword. On the contrary, these padrōes (or pillars) that travelled with Portuguese explorers, varying in tendency from round to squareness, but all almost bearing the coat of arms of Portugal and sometimes the personal emblem of the monarch, had inscriptions carrying word to the effect that the nearby territory had been discovered by order of the King.
Standing sentinel at Malindi 520 years later, looking out to the infinite ocean horizon, the famous Vasco da Gama Pillar connects travellers to a far-removed history at the onset of European exploration in Africa. Similarly, the opposite-number Vasco da Gama Pillar located in Fort Kochi, Kerala, India, also known as St. Francis Church Pillar, erected in 1502, commemorates the landing of Vasco da Gama. The main reasons to erect the pillars was to prove that the explorer had indeed reached, and provide a key maritime landmark for later coasting vessels.
Kenya is home to numerous historic sites that showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, ancient civilizations, colonial history, and struggle for independence. These historic sites offer valuable insights into Kenya’s past and its diverse cultural heritage, making them essential destinations for visitors interested in her history.
Index of Historic Sites Around Kenya
Baringo County - Timboroa Railway Station, Bungoma County - Chetambe Fort, Kilifi County - Prince Henry the Navigator Monument, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Portuguese Chapel, Malindi Butwani Pier, Kwale County - Shimoni Ruins, Lamu County - Shela Mosque, Lamu Fort, German Post Office, Siyu Fort, Machakos County - Macmillan Castle Sabuk, Fort Machakos, Makueni County - Gurdwara Makindu Sahib, Patterson Ruins Tsavo, Meru County - Kaaga War Memorial, Twin Baobab Trees, Giant Meru Oak, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus, Old Port, Sanaa Gallery, Leven House, Old Law Courts, Kengeleni Bell, Old Railway Station, Mbaraki Pillar, Fort St. Joseph, Kraph Monument, Fort Makupa, Arab Rifle's Monument, Mombasa's Tusks, Ras Serani Light, Mandera County - Fort El Wak, Nandi County - Kaptumo I Kipture Forts, Samiitui Aldai Historic Stone, Nyeri County - Old Ruling Court, Taita Taveta County - Kitchwa Tembo Hill, Salaita Hill, The Sniper Tree, Maktau Railway Station, Mwashoti Hill, Mwakitau Hill, Tana River County - Tana Delta Old Fort, Tharaka Nithi County - The Mutunguruni Tree, Wajir County - Wajir Fort, Ancient Orahey Wells, Orahey Bunkers, The Old Town Wajir
Historic Ruins along the Coast of Kenya - Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River & Lamu
Touring Kilifi County offers a delightful blend of coastal beauty, lovely beaches, cultural richness, natural wonders, and fascinating ancient ruins. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, historical sites, or vibrant cultural experiences – or a combination, Kilifi promises a memorable and enriching travel experience.
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Explore Places Nearby Vasco da Gama Pillar
A Guide to Kilifi County
A Summa Digest of Kilifi
About Kilifi Way Back When
95 Destinations in Kilifi County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shimo la Tewa Prison, Mtwapa Creek, Mtwapa Ruins, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant, Jumba la Mtwana, Kikambala Beach, Vipingo Mosque Ruins, Kinuni Ruins, Kuruwitu Conservancy, Neem Tree House, Vipingo Ridge, Chasimba Cave, Kilifi Sisal Plantations, Vuma Cliffs, Old Town Takaungu, Takaungu Creek, Kitoka Ruins, Takaungu House, Beneath the Baobab Festival, Kilifi Creek, Kilifi Bridge, Kilifi Boatyard, Distant Relatives Lodge, Mnarani Ruins, Mnarani Snake Park, 3 Degrees South, Kamili House, Mazingira Park, Bofa Beach, Saltys Kitesurfing Bar & Restaurant, Bush Baby Kilifi, Casa Dalton, Panga ya Saidi Cave, River Rare Geo Park, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Mwangea Hills Forest, Watamu Marine National Park, Uyombo Ruins, Rock & Sea Resort, Mida Creek, Sudi Island, Kirepwe Ruins, Watamu Beach, Ocean Sports Watamu, Medina Palms, Hemimways Watamu, A Rocha Eco Lodge & Conservation Centre, Watamu Treehouse, Garoda Beach, Tribe Watersports, Kite House, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Kiburugeni Ruins, Mgangani Ruins, Mida Creek Nature Camp, Gede Ruins, Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Malindi Museum, Henry the Navigator Monument, Malindi Pier, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Malindi Waterfront Park, Portuguese Chapel, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Beach, Ndoro Sculpture Garden, White Elephant Sea & Art Lodge, Malindi Crocodile & Snake Farm, Malindi Marine National Park, Malaika Beach Sunbeds & Restaurant, Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions, Lo Sfizio Coffee Shop, Lennox Art Gallery, Falconry of Kenya, Hanging Gardens, Malindi Golf & Country Club, River Sabaki Delta, Marafa Depression, Dakacha Woodland, Mekatilili wa Menza Site, Mambrui Dunes, Mambrui, Mambrui Tombs, Kibirakani Ruins, Che Shale Hotel Kitesurf Center, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, The Nyika Plateau, Galana Conservancy, Ngala Mausoleum, Rabai Museum, Kaya Kambe Shrine, Thomas Wakefield Memorial Church
Know More About Kilifi County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.05?
Kilifi can be split into three zones – the narrow coastal plain, varying in width from 3 kms to 20 km; few coastal hills lying below 30 ms asl, and the Nyika Plateau rising from 100ms to 340 ms asl.
What’s The Air Like In Kilifi?
For the greater part of the year, the climate along the coastal plain is pleasurable, though humid. Temperature ranges between 21C and 30C along the coast, and between 30C and 34C further inland.
