Diogo de Azambuja
*The birth of Diogo de Azambuja is celebrated on this date in 1432. He was a white European Portuguese noble, slave trader, and explorer.
He was born at Montemor-o-Velho and became a knight of the Order of Aviz in the service of the son of the Regent Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra. After Peter's defeat and death, he accompanied his master into exile. In 1458, he fought with Afonso V in the conquest of Alcácer-Ceguer in Morocco. He received several honors and was appointed a counselor to the king. During the War of the Castilian Succession, he participated in the recapture of the town of Allegretto from the Castilians, where he was injured.
In 1481, Diogo was the captain of a fleet comprising nine caravels and two ships, which carried 600 soldiers and 100 masons and carpenters. They were sent, along with the necessary stone and other materials, to construct a fortress called São Jorge da Mina at the Gulf of Guinea in the Portuguese Gold Coast colony. This Fort and construction were practically complete after only 20 days, despite resistance from the indigenous population.
With the fortress finished, contacts were established with the local population to establish trade (including African slaves). De Azambuja sent the fleet back to Lisbon with word that the mission had been successful, and he remained behind as captain of the fortress with a force of 60 soldiers. He held this post until 1484. The fortress is now known as 'Elmina Castle.' The king rewarded De Azambuja with the post of alcaide-mor of Monsaraz and appointed him to the Privy Council.
Diogo de Azambuja remained attached to the Court and the king's service for many years despite his advancing age and disabled leg. He was already over the age of 70 in 1506 when Manuel I placed him in charge of building a fortress called Castelo Real at Essaouira, near Safi, in the south of Morocco, to protect Portuguese interests in the area. Diogo of Azambuja not only carried out the mission but also took the city of Safi, where he remained as captain until 1509, at the age of 77. At that time, he finally returned to Portugal, where he died in 1518.
