Complex sentence: It was after the arrival of Vasco da Gama, a year later, bringing with him samples of gold he discovered, that the monastery became a representation of Portuguese expansionism, and that the church became a house of prayer for seamen leaving or entering port.
Split into simpler sentences: It was after the arrival of Vasco da Gama, a year later with samples of gold he discovered, that the monastery became a representation of Portuguese expansionism. The church became a house of prayer for seamen leaving or entering port.