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WWas Prester John the keeper of the Holy Grail? Was he a great crusader-warrior king? One of the Three Magi? Did he rule the sandy wastes of Ethiopia? The Portuguese, in particular, were keen to find the larger-than-life man and pick his brains about a trade route to India.
Next to the Port Elizabeth City Hall you will find a statue depicting a couple of intriguing characters. Its origin is steeped in deep crusader, eastern and African mythology, and it depicts a man called Prester John in conversation with an unnamed Portuguese explorer.
It is believed to be the only monument in the world to celebrate the existence of the ever-elusive Prester John, said to be a descendant of the Three Magi.
Prester John, depending on whose history you are studying at the time, was also a crusader-era Christian king in Ethiopia – or possibly a high-born Mongol from the time of Genghis Khan. The belief was that he presided over ‘a realm full of riches and strange creatures’, and that he was also the ageless curator of the Holy Grail.
European countries, especially the seafaring, adventurous ones, were ever-set on questing in Africa from the 15th Century onwards. At first, Timbuktu was the fashionable – but fatal – quest centre for colonials.
Another popular quest was to find Prester John and his world. He symbolised the 'universal Christian', who transcended culture and geography.
On 10 October 1486, King John II of Portugal commissioned the navigator Bartolomeu Dias to sail around the southernmost tip of Africa and see if he could find Prester John ‘somewhere in the Indies’. Thus, the connection between Prester and Portugal.
Dias departed the next year and, after many stops along the west coast, sailed through a vicious storm off the Cape – so vicious that he called it 'Cabo Tormentosa' or the Cape of Storms. His king later had it renamed the Cape of Good Hope, because it promised a passage to India.
Along the way, Dias left many messages of goodwill for Prester John but, as far as history records, received no reply – nor a forwarding address…
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & planning info
Who to contact
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)41 582 2573/5
Email: info@nmbt.co.za
How to get here
The Prester John memorial stands in Port Elizabeth's Fleming Square just opposite the City Hall.
Best time to visit
Port Elizabeth is a year-round destination; lots of sun with some pretty gusty days to boot. Prepare for lots of wind.
Things to do
Extend your morning walk of the city to a drive out to 1 or 2 of the many townships around Port Elizabeth. It's highly advisable to go with a professional guide.
Tours to do
Trips to Addo, south to Jeffreys Bay and Storms River, north to Port Alfred and, into the hinterland, to Grahamstown.
Get around
Port Elizabeth has so many historical sites of interest that it is advisable to park your vehicle and walk, especially in the Central Donkin Reserve area.
What will it cost?
Walking tours cost R300 to R400 per person depending on the time taken.
Length of stay
A full day in Port Elizabeth is just the ticket, so you can see the dawn over the ocean, experience the city sites by day and taste some of the nightlife after dark.
What to pack
Your city-walk day pack should include bottled water, sunscreen and a guidebook. You should wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat.
Where to stay
Check the Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism site for all your accommodation choices.
What to eat
Pack something light for midday snacking, because you're probably going to feast later at one of the many seafood restaurants near the ocean.
What's happening
Check the city website for festivals, events and exhibitions. There's more to Port Elizabeth than most people think.
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