The Explorers Podcast The Vivaldi Brothers and the first attempt to sail from Europe to India via the Cape Route
Oct 28, 2025
Discover the daring 1291 voyage of Genoese brothers Vandino and Ugolino Vivaldi, who attempted to reach India by sailing around Africa. Learn why Europeans sought this perilous sea route, fueled by rising trade prices and competition with Venice. Delve into their expedition's plans, mundane supplies, and the limits of navigation technology. Explore theories of their disappearance and later myths intertwining their tale with legendary figures like Prester John. Was a search mission ever launched for them? The legacy of their adventure remains a fascinating mystery.
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Why A New Route Mattered
- In the 13th-14th centuries Asian goods reached Europe via the Silk Road or sea routes through the Middle East, inflating prices massively.
- Italian city-states like Venice and Genoa reaped huge profits and competed fiercely over control of these routes.
Maps Misled Early Explorers
- Europeans speculated about a southern sea route around Africa as a way to bypass Middle Eastern intermediaries and Venice.
- Contemporary maps underestimated Africa's length, making such voyages seem more feasible than they were.
The Lost Genoese Brothers
- Vandino and Ugolino Vivaldi led two well-provisioned Genoese galleys in 1291 aiming to sail to India via the Atlantic and around Africa.
- They departed Genoa with 300 sailors and two Franciscan friars but vanished after reaching Cape Nun in southern Morocco.
