Monument to Sá da Bandeira

Take a look at the bronze woman in chains cradling a child at the base of the monument near Mercado da Ribeira. Her face may belong to Andresa do Nascimento, known as Preta Fernanda, one of the most talked about women in 19th century Portuguese society. This monument at Praça Dom Luís I honors the Marquis of Sá da Bandeira, Portugal's leading abolitionist who served as Prime Minister five times.

He fought relentlessly to end slavery across all Portuguese territories. The statue, created by Italian sculptor Giovanni Ciniselli, was unveiled on July 31, 1884. The Marquis stands holding a banner inscribed with LIBERTAS, the Latin word for freedom. Born in Cape Verde in 1859, Andresa do Nascimento arrived in the capital around 1879 and became a celebrated courtesan who moved through high society circles.

Historical records show she was invited to model for the allegorical African woman you see at the monument's base. A royal ordinance dated March 3, 1880 officially authorized her to pose for Ciniselli, paying her 560 réis daily for about seven days of work. The sculptor likely modified her features in the final bronze casting, but the fact remains that a former courtesan from Cape Verde became part of Portugal's most significant abolitionist memorial.