Behind the City Hall, in Fleming Square, stands a monument dedicated to the mythical king-priest, Prester John, and the Portuguese explorers who were the first Europeans to discover South Africa. It was the quest for Prester John as a Christian ally that led to expeditions to reach him by sailing round Africa.
The monument consists of a large Coptic cross and in the central circle are two figures, one of Prester John and one of a Portuguese navigator. Symbolic devices on the arms of the cross depict the Portuguese royal coat-of-arms, a caravel, navigational instruments of the time, the Coptic cross motif, the Lion of Judah, and the elephant and rhinoceros representing the fabulous kingdom of Prester John.
The monument was created by Port Elizabeth sculptor Phil Kolbe and the cost was borne by Mr Johan Eggers, a local philanthropist. Unveiled by the Portuguese ambassador, Dr J M P de Villas-Boas, on the 3 May 1986, it is believed to be the only monument in the world depicting Prester John.
