There are a few Christopher Columbus sites in Spain that simply belong on your ultimate Spain Bucket List. We are all explorers deep inside, don’t you think so? How about time-traveling back to the Age of Discovery and following the steps of the famous Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in Spain?

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Top Christopher Columbus Landmarks in Spain

What did Christopher Columbus have to do with Spain?

Christopher Columbus ventured out on his voyage of discovery in 1492 under the sponsorship of the Spanish monarchs, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. Although he had sought support from various European courts, it was Spain that ultimately funded his journey across the Atlantic in search of a westward route to Asia. Columbus’s voyages led to the discovery of the New World (the Americas) for Europe, which initiated Spanish colonization and established Spain as a dominant global power in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Was Christopher Columbus from Spain?

Christopher Columbus was born in the Republic of Genoa, which is part of modern-day Italy, around 1451. Though he was Italian by birth, recent research by Spanish scientists suggests that he was likely of Spanish and Jewish descent, according to a new genetic study.

Where is Columbus buried?

The burial place of Christopher Columbus has been a subject of historical debate, as his remains have been moved several times. Although the official location of his remains is the Cathedral of Seville, one of Spain’s most renowned cathedrals, the issue is still controversial. In recent years, DNA testing on the remains in Seville confirmed that at least some of Columbus’s remains are in Spain, though it remains uncertain whether all of them are there.

Why does Barcelona have a Columbus Monument?

While I do not include Barcelona on this list of top Columbus sites in Spain, those who have visited the city have surely seen its Columbus Monument (Monumento a Colón) at the end of La Rambla. This monument was erected to honor Christopher Columbus and his first voyage to the New World. Although Columbus initially returned to Southern Spain, he made an important stop in Barcelona, where he was received by the Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. This meeting was significant as it symbolized the success of his voyage.

Best books about Columbus

You know I love adding a few suggestions from my blog’s Books & Movies section to most of my Spain travel itineraries. We could all use some extra inspiration while on the road (or before the actual trip). In my post about Wanderlust Books, you’ll find plenty of inspiring reads by adventurers and explorers. However, it’s a bit more challenging when it comes to Columbus. Aside from his letters, journals, and diaries, his most famous works are the Book of Prophecies (a compilation of apocalyptic religious revelations) and the Book of Privileges (a summary of the titles and privileges granted to Columbus by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain). I doubt these fit anyone’s idea of a holiday read. Nevertheless, you might enjoy one of these popular books on Christopher Columbus:

• Columbus: The Four Voyages (check it out)
• Columbus Log-Book, Letters, and Dispatches (check it out)
• Who Was Christopher Columbus? – For Kids (check it out)
• Defending Columbus From Modern Day Revisionism (check it out)
• 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created (check it out)
• The Last Voyage of Columbus (check it out)
• Columbus and Caonabo (check it out)
• Columbus. His Enterprise. Exploding the Myth (check it out)

What to watch before visiting Christopher Columbus sites in Spain: 1492 Conquest of Paradise (1992) and Christopher Columbus (1984). Travel documentaries on Columbus: Columbus The Lost Voyage (2007), in Spanish – El Último Viaje de Cristobal Colón (available on Youtube) and El mundo de Colón via RTVE web.

Interesting facts about Christopher Columbus

For most of my life, I had a romanticized image of Christopher Columbus, imagining him as a swashbuckling figure, like Captain Blood from Rafael Sabatini’s book. However, modern historical data reveals that the real Columbus was quite different. In fact, he was imprisoned after his third voyage due to numerous complaints about his cruel behavior. Today, it’s also clear that most European explorers played a negative role in the destruction of Native American cultures. Yet, many of us still feel a sense of awe when discussing the Age of Discovery. There’s no denying that those explorers demonstrated a remarkable degree of bravery. Back then, setting sail for unknown lands was nothing like planning a Mediterranean cruise today. Two of Columbus’s ships, the Niña and the Pinta, were about 50 feet (15 meters) long – a surprisingly small size for crossing the mighty Atlantic Ocean. And let’s not forget the beliefs of the Middle Ages. While we now enjoy the mysterious Spanish legends, at the time, tales of ocean monsters didn’t seem so far-fetched, largely thanks to stories like Homer’s Odyssey and Sinbad’s Voyages from One Thousand and One Nights (a favorite of my kids). This might be why I felt so inspired by visiting the Christopher Columbus sites in Spain.

Must-see Christopher Columbus sites in Spain

Let´s channel our inner explorers and talk about the top Christopher Columbus sites in Spain. You can easily include these in your Southern Spain Itinerary.

1. Muelle de las Carabelas

The Caravel Dock Museum (or Muelle de las Carabelas in Spanish) is located in Palos de la Frontera, a small town in the Spanish province of Huelva. It is one of the must-visit stops in Southern Spain and a great place to visit with kids. We hadn’t initially planned to stop at the Muelle de las Carabelas on our way to the Algarve, but with some extra time, we decided to give it a try. I’m so glad we did—it turned out to be an educational and entertaining experience.

The Caravel Dock Museum was built in 1992 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Discovery of America. The museum features reproductions of La Niña, La Pinta, and La Santa María – the three ships used by Christopher Columbus on his first transatlantic voyage in 1492. In addition to the ship replicas, visitors can explore the medieval quarter and the Island of Encuentro, which recreates the indigenous culture of Guanahani, the first island where Columbus landed on October 12, 1492.

2. Monasterio Santa María de La Rábida

One of the top Christopher Columbus sites in Spain is located near the Caravel Dock Museum: La Rábida Monastery (or Monasterio Santa María de La Rábida in Spanish). While you may not consider this 14th/15th-century Franciscan monastery among the most beautiful in Spain, its historical significance is undeniable. Christopher Columbus stayed here before his departure for the New World, while he was still preparing his project. In the room called El Portal de Belén de América, the initial meetings and discussions between Columbus and Father Juan Pérez de Marchena took place in the 15th century. Father Marchena, an influential figure in the Spanish Catholic Church and once a confessor to Queen Isabella, played a key role in helping Columbus secure funding for his expedition. (Interestingly, I first learned this from the popular Spanish TV show Isabel, and it turned out to be historically accurate.) According to historical records, Columbus and Marchena became good friends. Some even claimed that Father Marchena accompanied Columbus on his first voyage to the Americas, though most historians now disagree with this assertion.

3. The City of Cadiz

Ever since my first trip to Cádiz, I’ve considered it one of the most underrated cities in Spain. Cádiz was one of the biggest discoveries during my 7-day road trip through Southern Spain. The city has played a significant role throughout various epochs and civilizations—from the Phoenicians, Romans, and Moors to the proclamation of the Spanish Liberal Constitution in 1812. It’s also one of the top Christopher Columbus sites in Spain, as the explorer sailed from Cádiz on both his second and fourth journeys to the Americas.

More Christopher Columbus sites in Spain:

• Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos in Cordoba ( where Columbus first presented his project to the Catholic Kings of Spain)
• Palacio Episcopal in Jaen ( where the Spanish Queen Isabella finally grants her support to Columbus)
• the village of Santa Fe near Granada ( where the document of Las Capitulaciones de Santa Fe was signed: it included the official agreement between Columbus and the Spanish crown)
• The Cathedral of Seville, one of the must-stops in the city (where you can find the Tomb of Christopher Columbus)
• Monasterio de Santa Clara (where Columbus stayed on several occasions; plus, the abbess of the convent, Inés Enríquez, was also the aunt of the Spanish King Ferdinand II, so she helped to approve Columbus’s project)

Christopher Columbus, his relationship with the Spanish crown, and the details of his discoveries are often considered some of the most interesting facts about Spain.

Map of Columbus sites in Spain

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