Vasco’s View, Remembered

When visiting Durban for the very first time, you might find yourself a little taken aback by just how much history is imbued into every city street. Beyond the gorgeous beaches and warm oceans, Durban is a city that has played an important part in South Africa's history.

For history buffs and historical tourists, Durban holds many a secret to uncover and has a variety of interesting stories to tell.

In fact, just a short half hour drive along the freeway from your suite at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment World, you'll find one of the most beautiful monuments, on Durban's Victoria Embankment.

Victoria Embankment

Named after Queen Victoria, Durban's Victoria Embankment is also known as the Esplanade, but it's more than just one of the city's busiest streets.

The embankment looks out on to Durban's harbour and is home to some of the city's most historically and culturally important buildings, including the Supreme Court complex and the Quadrant House.

As a keen investigator of Durban's history, you'll find the Vasco Da Gama memorial in the heart of the Victoria Embankment, just as you're driving along towards the beachfront and heading towards Ushaka Marine World.

But why is this memorial there and what does the famous Portuguese explorer have to do with an African city's history?

Vasco Da Gama

As an experienced explorer, Vasco Da Gama is credited with discovering many lands, and was the first European to reach India by sea. But, when he sighted the east coast of South Africa in late December of 1497, he named it "Natal".

400 years after the Portuguese explorer's first sighting, a memorial drinking fountain was erected as a gift from the Portuguese government to the British Colony of South Africa.

Did you know? "Natal" is the Portuguese word for Christmas.

The Memorial Clock

Presented to the City of Durban in 1897 by the Portuguese government to commemorate the 400-year anniversary of the great explorer's sighting, the clock originally took pride of place in Mahatma Gandhi Road (formerly known as Point Road).

The memorial was moved to the corner of Aliwal Street and the Victoria Embankment in 1969. The delicate ironwork, intricate detail and fascinating inscriptions make it fascinating to look at and snap a few pictures of.

But while the monument vaguely resembles a wedding chapel, its design and purpose is far more regal than romantic. Each of the 8 columns is decorated with an intricate sculpture of a griffin.

The griffin, as any fans of mythology will tell you, is a legendary creature that symbolises guardianship and protection. The clock, although Portuguese, was finished in a foundry in Britain and incorporates a statue of Samson in the process of breaking the ropes that bound him.

The Da Gama Clock establishes the connection of the city of Durban with Portuguese culture and tradition. For a detailed look at more of the symbolism contained within the artwork of this memorial, see here.

Restoration and Renewal

The Vasco Da Gama Monument was designed and created by renowned Glasgow foundry, Walter McFarlane & Co.

Also known as the Saracen Foundry, this company created ironwork monuments and sculptures that can still be seen all over the world, including locations like Victoria, Australia and Sao Paulo, Brazil. As the Vasco Da Gama Monument weathered over the years, the City of Durban made a decision to disassemble it and restore it to its former glory, just before the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

Today though, it seems the monument's drinking fountain is dry and the clock has stopped ticking.

But, just as Durban's Golden Mile was restored and renovated to become one of the city's greatest attractions, we know the clock will tick again someday.

Which are your favourite historical monuments in Durban?