Sacy-Perey Illustration
Paulo Ítalo’s interpretation of the mischievous Sacy-Perey.
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Caravel
Called “caravela” in Portuguese, the caravel is one of the most amazing ships in naval history. It was used by the Portuguese from the 15th through the 18th centuries! However, it did go through many modifications along the way, some of them significant.
The early caravels were around 20×6 meters and had a displacement (mass) of 50 tons. Their design was based on earlier Middle Eastern ships. They used two or three masts with lateen sails which allowed them to sail against the wind. Caravels had the advantage of being small and agile, often used for advanced transport and exploration before sending in larger cargo ships like the carrack and galleon.
This versatile ship helped make Portugal one of the world’s great naval powers in the fifteenth century.
(Image: Brazilian Navy)
Later versions combined three lateen-sail masts with a foremast of two “round sails” (actually square sails which billowed out roundly in the wind). The dimensions increased to around 30 meters long and a displacement of 150 tons. This new design became known as the “caravela redonda” (round caravel). The square sails increased speed, while the augmented size allowed the addition of cannons, so the ships could be used for combat as well as transport and exploration.
(Image: Livro de Lisuarte de Abreu – 16th century)
In “The Fortuitous Meeting”, Gerard speaks of his trip from Europe to Brazil in a Caravel.
Botat
Giant serpents can be found in the histories of almost every civilization on Earth, and Brazilian history is no exception. The Botat, a serpent of immense proportions, is one of Brazil’s oldest and most famous monsters. Its original name, “Boitatá”, comes from the Tupi words “mboi” (snake) and “tata” (fire), and it was known throughout Brazil long before Europeans ever set foot there.
The Botat appears only at night, and always covered in a glowing blue flame. The flame burns flesh but not foliage, and cannot be doused. In fact, the creature hides at the bottom of lakes and rivers during the day.
When someone gets close enough to see through the serpent’s flame (an unfortunate case indeed!), they see the scales beneath shimmering in many colors, like a rainbow in a watery mist. Globes of fire burn in place of eyes, and those who make eye contact with the beast go mad.
In “The Fortuitous Meeting”, Antonio Dias Caldas and Diego tell of their battle against this amazing serpent.
Belem Tower
In “The Fortuitous Meeting”, Gerard sees a painting in Pero’s office in which he recognizes Belem Tower.
This impressive building, constructed between 1515 and 1521 to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s famous voyage from Europe to India, is perhaps the most famous remaining symbol of Portugal’s great Age of Discovery, when the tiny nation dominated half the the world’s oceans.
(Image: Governo de Portugal)
Belem Tower, used primarily to defend the entrance to the Port of Lisbon, was one of the last landmarks explorers saw as they set off on their remarkable maritime voyages. Gerard’s case is no exception; he admired the famous tower as he set out from Portugal on his fateful journey to Brazil.
(Image: Governo de Portugal)
The tower design contains a mixture of naval elements, Christian symbols, and Gothic and Islamic architecture. This style is known as Manueline, after King Manuel I of Portugal.
(Image: Governo de Portugal)
Today, Santa Maria de Belem (trans. Saint Mary of Bethlehem), the location of the tower, is a district of Lisbon, and Belem Tower is a UNESCO Heritage site.