Giavanni Da Verrazzano
Born c. 1485 — Died c. 1528
(East face)
A native of Val Di Greve in the Tuscany region
of Italy, he studied navigation as a young man
and became a master mariner. He was engaged
by the King of France to lead a voyage to
North America in 1524. The purpose of Verrazzano's
journey was to learn more about the continent.
Traveling in a small ship known as the Dauphine,
he explored coastal areas from the present-day
State of North Carolina to Canada, observing
the natural abundance of the land and the
vibrant culture of its native peoples. His
voyage is the earliest documented European
exploration of this part of the Atlantic Coast.
This monument rests upon stone from Castello
di Verrazzano, the explorer's ancestral home.
(South face)
In Commemoration of
Verrazzano's
Voyage to
America
erected by the
Delaware Commission on
Italian Heritage and Culture
2008
Marker is at the intersection of North Boardwalk, Atlantic Ocean and Olive Avenue, on the left when traveling north on North Boardwalk, Atlantic Ocean.
Courtesy hmdb.org
