Statue of Bartolomeu Dias

The Bartolomeu Dias statue is a bronze sculpture on Adderley Street near Cape Town's port, depicting the seafarer in typical seafaring attire. The figure holds an astrolabe and cap in hand and stands on a granite pedestal at a prominent location in the city.

The seafarer Bartolomeu Dias rounded Africa's southern tip in 1488, establishing a crucial link between Europe and Asia. The memorial, erected in 1952, honors this achievement and the Portuguese navigator's influence on global maritime routes.

The statue depicts a figure in seafaring attire whose instruments symbolize the maritime connection between Portugal and South Africa. It stands in a central location where people pass daily, keeping alive the memory of this historical bond.

The memorial stands at the corner of Heerengracht and Coen Steytler Boulevard, easily accessible from the city center. The location sits near shopping areas and markets, so visitors can explore the neighborhood without difficulty.

The bronze figure shows an imagined likeness of the navigator, since no historical images of him exist. Artist Salvador Barata Feyo created an interpretation based on ideas of sailors from that era.

Location: City of Cape Town

Inception: 1952

Creator: Salvador Barata Feyo

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: -33.91752,18.42799

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:25