Vasco da Gama Memorial is close to The Riverside Hotel in Durban
The Vasco Gama Memorial stands in the heart of Margret Mncandi Avenue (formerly known as the Victoria Embankment).
This ironwork monument was presented by the Portuguese government to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s first sighting of the land he named Natal, on Christmas Eve 1497 and was erected by the Burgesses of Durban.
In 1897 the clock originally stood in Point Road (now known as Mahatma Ghandi Drive) before being erected in its current location in 1969 and unveiled on the 19th of August by his Excellency the Portuguese Ambassador assisted by the Consul of Portugal.
This regal Victorian baroque design is definitely worthy of admiration. It resembles a small wedding chapel with its cast iron, dome-shaped intricate design. The drinking fountain is seated on a two tier octagonal plinth and its canopy is supported by eight columns each adorned with a griffin, known to be symbolic of guardians.
The arches are decorated with rope detail. Each lunette contains a shield as a memoir – the city of Durban seal, a crane and a stylized 1897. Owls are represented on the interior terminals representing the guardians of the afterlife. The ribbed dome is surmounted by four clocks facing north, east, south and west.
The font displays a quatrefoil basin and is supported by a wide base with four lion jambs, which are also acknowledged as guardians. Four tendrils project from the column suspending chained drinking cups and the capital supports a statue of Samson in the process of breaking the ropes that bound him.
The memorial was designed and created by Walter McFarlane & Co at their Foundry in Glasgow. In 2010 the clock was dismantled and reassembled and the entire memorial was restored to its former glory in preparation for the World Cup.
The memorial is protected under the KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Act as a public memorial.
The Riverside Hotel Complex
Set just 20 minutes’ drive from King Shaka International Airport and 5 minutes’ drive from the city centre of Durban, The Riverside Hotel reflects a resort life in the city.The Riverside Hotel offers 168 superbly appointed bedrooms as well as an onsite restaurant and state of the art conference facility. The Riverside Grill offers a mouth-watering menu and furnishings that have been designed to offer our guests a luxurious and relaxed environment. We have paired luxury dining with poolside relaxation, breath-taking scenery & open-planned settings. We invite you to experience the perfect day with friends, family or business partners.
SERVICE
The Riverside Hotel is a full-service hotel. Facilities available include, but are not limited to, 24 hour reception, conference facilities, room service, laundry, mini gym, The Riverside Grill restaurant, shuttle and much more. Discover it for yourself today and drive on down to the Riverside Hotel
ATTRACTIONS
At The Riverside Hotel, the possibilities are endless: Visit uShaka Marine World, the enormous Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umgeni Bird Park, play a round of golf at the Windsor Golf Course, or catch a game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it situated within a few minutes drive.