He was born enslaved. He rose to serve beside a king.
In this first episode of EnterPortugal – The Deep Dive, we uncover the astonishing story of João de Sá—a Black Portuguese man who defied the odds in 16th-century Europe.
From the courts of Lisbon to the battlefields of North Africa, João's journey challenges what we think we know about race, power, and Portugal’s past.
A story of courage, loyalty, and survival—hidden in plain sight.