Originally situated in Bamboo Square opposite the Point Railway station, this fountain was relocated to the corner of Aliwal St. and Victoria Embankment, because of the deterioration of the original site. To commemorate the first sighting of Durban by the explorer Vasco Da Gama on Christmas day 1497, the Portuguese community donated a colourful memorial fountain. It was unveiled in 1897 and consists of a number of cast-iron catalogue items from the British foundry of MacFarlands. A four-faced clock is mounted on a perforated cast iron dome, which is richly embellished with dragons, owls, the Prince of Wales escutcheon and many other Victorian historical decorations. Under its canopy a statue of the biblical Samson breaking his bonds stands in the basin. Nearby is a plaque that was unveiled in 1969 by the Portuguese ambassador on the sooth birthday of Vasco Da Gama.
The Drakensberg
Geology The Drakensberg Mountains had their onqm some 200 million years. ago when a vast landmass...
