Vandino and Ugolino Vivaldi facts for kids

Vandino (also called Vadino or Guido) and Ugolino Vivaldi (sometimes Ugolino de Vivaldo) were two brothers from Genoa, Italy. They were famous explorers and merchants who lived in the late 1200s. They are known for leading one of the first expeditions to find a sea route from Europe to India by sailing around Africa.

The First Journey to India

In May 1291, Vandino and Ugolino Vivaldi set sail from Genoa. They commanded two large ships called galleys. Their goal was to reach India by sailing through the Atlantic Ocean. They hoped to bring back valuable goods for trade.

Why They Sailed

The main reason for their trip was to find new trade routes. They also wanted to spread the Christian faith. Two Franciscan monks joined them on this important journey. Their ships were well-equipped and ready for the long voyage.

Where They Went Missing

The Vivaldi brothers sailed south along the coast of Morocco. They reached a place called Gozora, also known as Cape Nun. This spot is located at 28º 47' N latitude. After passing Cape Nun, no one ever heard from them again. Their expedition was one of the first recorded voyages to sail from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean since ancient times.

Searching for the Lost Explorers

Years later, people tried to find out what happened to the Vivaldi brothers.

Lancelotto Malocello's Search

Around 1312, another explorer named Lancelotto Malocello sailed from Genoa. He was also looking for Vandino and Ugolino Vivaldi. Malocello ended up staying on an island that is now named after him, Lanzarote. This island is one of the Canary Islands. He lived there for more than twenty years.

Ugolino's Son Continues the Search

Early in the 1300s, Sorleone de Vivaldo, Ugolino's son, went on his own long journey. He traveled far to search for his father and uncle. It is said he even reached Mogadishu on the coast of Somalia. However, the King of Mogadishu stopped him from going further. The path to the ancient kingdom of Aksum was no longer safe.

Later Stories and Claims

In 1455, another Genoese sailor named Antoniotto Usodimare claimed something interesting. He was sailing with Alvise Cadamosto for Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal. Usodimare said he met a man near the Gambia River in West Africa. This man claimed to be the last living descendant of the Vivaldi expedition survivors.

The story told to Usodimare was that the two galleys sailed into the Gulf of Guinea. One ship got stuck, but the other continued. It reached a place on the coast of "Aethiopia" (which meant Black Africa at the time). There, the Genoese sailors were captured and held prisoner.

Where Did They Go?

It's still a mystery exactly how far the Vivaldi brothers traveled.

Possible Stops

Some people think the Vivaldi brothers might have seen or even landed on the Canary Islands. The name "Gozora" was used on old maps for Cape Non, which is near the Canary Islands. Also, one of their ships was named Alegranzia. This name sounds like Alegranza, another island in the Canary Islands. This makes some believe they landed there, or that at least one ship was lost near it.

Tales from an Old Book

An old travel book called Libro del Conoscimiento (written around 1350-1385) mentions the Vivaldi galleys. In this book, a Spanish monk travels to a region in sub-Saharan Africa. He hears a story about Genoese sailors who escaped a shipwreck. He also meets a man named Sor Leone, who is searching for his father. This Sor Leone is believed to be Ugolino's real son.

The book says that the first galley was wrecked at a place called "Amenuan." The other galley continued on. Historians believe these stories suggest the Vivaldis reached as far as the Senegal River region in West Africa. It's possible their adventures ended there.

Usodimare's Account

Antoniotto Usodimare's story, recorded in Genoese archives, gives more details. He claimed that the Vivaldi brothers sailed "by the east" towards India. He said one galley was damaged in the "Sea of Guinea." The other reached a city in "Ethiopia" called "Menam," near a river called "Gion." The people of Menam, who were Christians, captured the Genoese. None of them ever returned home. This account seems to be similar to the story in the Libro del Conoscimiento. The "Gion" river likely refers to the Sénégal River.

Legends and Inspiration

Over time, the Vivaldi brothers became part of many legends. Some stories said they sailed all the way around Africa. They were supposedly captured by a mythical Christian king called Prester John.

Their mysterious voyage might have even inspired a famous writer, Dante Alighieri. In his epic poem Divine Comedy, Dante wrote about Odysseus' (Ulysses') last journey. This journey ends in failure in the Southern Hemisphere. Some believe Dante's story was inspired by the fate of brave explorers like the Vivaldis, who ventured into the unknown Atlantic Ocean.

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