It was built in 1502 by Vasco de Gama. It risks being swallowed up by a concrete building. Let’s collect signatures to prevent its disappearance
Save the Malindi Chapel! Sign the Africa Express Petition
From Our Special Correspondent
Massimo A. Alberizzi
Malindi, February 6, 2025
An important testimony of enormous historical value in Malindi risks disappearing, swallowed up by concrete. And Africa Ex-Press launches a petition to save it.
Those who think that Malindi is only sun , sea, blue sky are wrong. In the Kenyan coastal city there are also some historical gems that are worth visiting, just to do something cultural and not just recreational.
For example, it is interesting to visit the small chapel built in 1502 by members of the Portuguese crew who accompanied Vasco de Gama on his second voyage to the Indies.
Of course, do not expect to find frescoes or images like in European or Ethiopian churches. The value of that chapel is mainly historical. It is the first Christian building constructed in East Africa where mosques already existed, since that coast of the continent was part of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, in turn tributary to the Sultan of Oman.
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The little historical jewel has been preserved over the centuries and in recent years it has been saved from the appetites of those who wanted to demolish it to build a residential building. Now, however, as can be seen from the images, it risks being swallowed up by the concrete of a building that a Chinese company is building next to it. Its destination is a sort of fish market or a laboratory for processing the fish.
Beyond the legitimate question “Who gave him the necessary permits?” (the answer to which is obvious in a country with a high rate of corruption) the most sensitive part of the population of Malindi rose up and turned to the judges who blocked the work.
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But the fishermen of Malindi, incited by the Chinese (probably also with large sums of money), responded by collecting signatures to invite the magistrates to overturn their decision.
Among those outraged against this monster is Franco De Paoli, chargé d’affaire of the Order of Malta in Kenya, who mobilized the ambassador of Portugal, the bishop of Malindi, the director of the Malindi museum and other political figures and diplomats of Kenya. All in defense of the little pearl of Malindi.
Massimo A. Alberizzi
X: @malberizzi
massimo.alberizzi@gmail.com
SIGN THE PETITION BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK
Let’s save the Malindi chapel built in 1502
English translation:
An important landmark of enormous historical value in Malindi is in danger of disappearing, swallowed by concrete. And Africa Ex-Press launches a petition to save it.
Those who think Malindi is just sun , sea, and blue skies are wrong. There are also historical gems in the Kenyan coastal city that are worth visiting, just to do something cultural and not just playful.
For example, it can be important a visit to the small chapel, built in 1502 by members of the Portuguese crew that accompanied Vasco de Gama on his second voyage to the Indies.
While the church does not have frescoes or images it has an important historical value. It is the first Christian building built in East Africa where, by the way, mosques already existed, since that coast of the continent was part of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, itself a tributary of the Sultan of Oman.
The little historic gem has been preserved over the centuries and in recent years rescued from the appetites of those who wanted to tear it down to build a residential building now, however, as can be seen from the pictures, it is in danger of being swallowed up by the concrete of a building that a Chinese company is building next to it. Its intended use is as a kind of fish market or a workshop for processing the catch.
Beyond the legitimate question “Who gave him the necessary permits?” (the answer to which is a foreign conclusion in a country with a high rate of corruption) the most sensitive part of the population of Malindi rose up and turned to the judges who stopped the work.
But the fishermen of Malindi, egged on by the Chinese (probably also with hefty payments of money), responded by collecting signatures urging the magistrates to overturn their decision.
Among those outraged against this monster Franco De Paoli, chargé d’affaire of the Order of Malta in Kenya , who mobilized the ambassador of Portugal, the bishop of Malindi, the director of the Malindi museum, and other political and diplomatic figures in Kenya. All in defense of the little pearl of Malindi.
Massimo A. Alberizzi
X: @malberizzi
massimo.alberizzi@gmail.com
SIGN THE PETITION BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK
https://chng.it/622qJK5mM2
Martin Plaut 