Relief depicting a Caravel

myminifactory

In 1531, the Guild House of Free Sailors was constructed on Graslei in Ghent. Christoffel van den Berghe designed this impressive structure. Above the entrance, a sculpture takes the place of the traditional transom, commemorating the profession with a representation of a caravel. This magnificent casting dates back to 1895, just a few years before the restoration of the facade. The caravel was a small yet highly maneuverable sailing ship that originated in the 15th century under Portuguese innovation. Its primary purpose was to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. The lateen sails enabled it to move at incredible speeds and sail windward with ease, making it an ideal vessel for oceanic exploration. During the Age of Discovery, the Portuguese employed caravels for their extensive oceanic voyages in the 15th and 16th centuries. Notable explorers such as Prince Henry, Christopher Columbus, and Bartolomeu Dias utilized this versatile ship to navigate uncharted territories.