Museum
Portuguese Chapel
4 locals recommend
Tips from locals
Nadia
August 19, 2022
The chapel was constructed in 1498 after Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama visited Malindi. He left a group of soldiers in Malindi who built the chapel. Vasco da Gama made the first voyage from Europe around Africa to India. This is why he is regarded as the discoverer of the sea route from Europe to Asia.
Pam
May 19, 2018
Its a 16th century chapel, located along the seafront near the Malindi museum, was built before St. Francis Xavier visited Malindi in 1542. The priest buried one of his sailors who died on his ship within the chapel compound. Over the years, however, the chapel grounds have turned into a graveyard of Portuguese tombstones where prominent personalities in the town have also been buried. These include Malindi’s pioneer Commander Lawford, of the popular Lawford Hotel and J. Bell Smith, the first British administrator in Malindi. The chapel building still stands strong till date but its interior has been maintained by the Kenyan museum authorities.
Its a 16th century chapel, located along the seafront near the Malindi museum, was built before St. Francis Xavier visited Malindi in 1542. The priest buried one of his sailors who died on his ship within the chapel compound. Over the years, however, the chapel grounds have turned into a graveyard o…
Former Member
September 27, 2019
nice history about the christian sailors who built the first church and where most were buried.
Location
Silversand Road
Malindi, Kilifi County