Tomb of Vasco da Gama (1460-1524), Portuguese explorer, in the Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon, Portugal. On his voyage of 1497-9, Vasco da Gama found a maritime trade route around Africa to India, which helped make Portugal a world power. This monastery was built in 1502 on the site of the hermitage where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent the night before their departure in prayer. Both this tomb, and the one opposite of the poet Luis de Camoes (1527-1570), were designed by the 19th century sculptor Costa Mosta, and the remains of the two men were transferred here in 1880.