Who established the first European school for navigators in Sagres, Portugal?

The establishment of the first European school for navigators at Sagres, Portugal, is attributed to Prince Henry, often known as Prince Henry the Navigator. He was a central figure in the early days of the Portuguese Empire and played a key role in promoting exploration during the 15th century.

Prince Henry was instrumental in advancing maritime knowledge and navigational techniques, fostering a spirit of exploration that led to significant voyages along the African coast and beyond. The school he founded did not function in the traditional way as a formal institution, but rather as a gathering of some of the best minds in navigation, cartography, and shipbuilding of that era.

His endeavors greatly contributed to the Age of Discoveries, ushering in an era of exploration that significantly changed global trade and interactions among different cultures. The legacy of his contributions laid the groundwork for later explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan, who expanded upon the knowledge and routes established during Prince Henry’s time.