Vasco da Gama Birthplace - Castle in Sines

When, several years ago, God woke me up with the name, "Vasco da Gama" on my brain, I had hoped to eventually find out the meaning of this "revelation" and it was only after sharing the phenomenon with my son, John, that I realized why God has spoken this name to me.


More of a self portrait than anything but this hangs in Vasco da Gama's birthplace castle, so I had to have a photos of it for sure!

John immediately, after me explaining to him the name, "Vasco da Gama" that God has placed on my mind, said this: "Oh Mom, let's do that someday! Let's follow his route from Portugal to Spain! And I'm going to pay for it!"


da Gama Coat of Arms

John was maybe about 10 at the time.


Antique Handkerchief Memorializing 400 Years Since Vasco da Gama's Voyage

Well, guess what, about seventeen years later, we did just that! And John, true to his word, paid for it! Well, most of it. I pitched in for a few hotel nights and crusts of bread here and there.


View from inside Vasco da Gama Castle Birthplace




da Gama Castle Rafters

So, you can imagine our joy to find out that one can still visit his birthplace castle!


Vasco da Gama Birthplace Castle tucked neatly within Fortress Walls

Considering that Explorer Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal, around 1460, that's a long time to have preserved someone's birthplace.


John on the castle walls...going to see if Vasco is in today.




Defenders of the castle had nice walkways


Castle Back Yard


Commanding View of Sea from Castle Walls


More of Commanding Sea View from Castle


Plenty of Room for Jousting in Castle Yard


Remains of Palm Trees - Were they relics from India? There seemed to be something "sacred" about those stumps.


Vasco da Gama Beach


John, almost there!


Pristine and well preserved Vasco da Gama Birthplace


Enterance into Castle Walls


Looks like Vasco wasn't home, so we searched for other lodgings. (Note sidewalk for rolling suitcases.)


Typical Ocean Front House


View of Castle Walls from Beach


Vasco Still Peers Out to Sea


John Considers





I expect Asterix and Obelix to Step Out Any Minute


John Embraces Sines, Portugal


Bad Hair Day


John thought it would be okay to play with Vasco's toys even if he wasn't home!


So many cannons to pick from!


Castle Tower


Admiring My Old Friend


Sines Has Not Forgotten Vasco da Gama


Vasco Still in Charge of the Sea


Blue & White Tiles on Church by Castle

Johnerik in Lisbon
Vasco da Gama Memorabilia in Lisbon
Lisbon Photos
Vidigueira "gives up Vasco da Gama's bones"!
Sines, Portugal