DISCOVERY OF BRAZIL - APRIL 22ND, 1500

About two years after the glorious Sea Route trip to India by Vasco da Gama, king Manuel I decides to send another fleet, this time under the command of Pedro Álvares Cabral, whose official mission is to go to Calicut. The fleet is the most powerful fleet ever prepared for sea expedition to distant lands, and comprises thirteen vessels.

Pedro Álvares Cabral

Cabral's fleet

Cabral leaves Lisbon on March 9, passes off the Canary islands, continues along the Cape Verde islands - where a vessel gets lost without any apparent reason - and then turns west, as in fact foreseen.

The “official” version that Brazil was found accidentally has no historical truth, but this is another story of Portugal’s secret History.

On April 22nd, 1500 Cabral and his crew see in the distance a blue round-shaped mount which they call "Monte Pascoal" because of the date of discovery - Wednesday before Easter. The vessels move along the blond sandy beach and the Portuguese discover with joy a rich and luxuriant land that would later be world-known as Brazil.

The Portuguese land on a sandy beach (painting)

Old map

© Dulce Rodrigues