The Crew threatened to mutiny, the needle of the compass spins, but Christopher Columbus is not distracted. With three small wooden ships – the Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Niña, – writes the discoverer of America 1492 history. The replicas of the ships of Columbus are today visit from the cruise port of Huelva from to. History will come alive.
Under the Deck of the Santa Maria it is dark and cramped. Christopher Columbus stands apart on the planks. The 41-year-old Italian has been going for 25 years at sea, he has trained sailor's legs. And the Santa Maria is a good Sailing vesselin order to find the sea route to India. Finally, his Plan becomes a reality. Already 15 years ago, the daring idea formed in him to go further and further to the West.
24 times eight metres in his flagship, the Santa Maria, a 39-man crew to measure for five sails on three masts. The ship is owned by the Spaniard Juan de la Cosa, he will lead as a captain. Steep the foredeck increases in the direction of the bowsprit. Even if the ship is safely moored, it is difficult to get to the front-most point. Columbus familiar with the massive ship, but he keeps Two smaller caravels, will accompany the Expedition: The Pinta, and the Niña. The Niña in Spanish girl has 1491 placed in the Andalusian port Moguer to Kiel. Columbus eyed the final stages of the construction of critical, finally, his life's work to the room of people depends on it.
Nervously, he visited before his departure to the nearby monastery Santa Clarabehind the massive walls of a castle Dating from the Almohad period of time. He asks in the narrow Church for divine assistance and get this on unverhofftem way: The Abbess of a as the aunt of king Ferdinand in a good word with her nephew for the financing of the Expedition.
The ships of Columbus‘ Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Niña sail
3. In August 1492, it is so far: The three ships of Huelva, from the sail. The Kai is full of onlookers, however, Columbus only has eyes for his three ships and the sea. Already on Gomera, he has to make a Stop, and a month stay. The rudder of the Pinta broke. And the Niña proves to be too slow, Columbus is a Latin sails of a square sails exchange, the better for winds from the rear suitable.
6. September it finally goes on – the infinite sea. The journey into the Unknown scares men. The officers whispering skeptical, the crew threatened to mutiny, you want to go back. Even on the needle of the compass is not reliable and is more – the laws of nature seem to be overridden. As the Situation threatens to escalate, looks Columbus desperately at the sky and sees a bird. The country can't be far!
Columbus discovered the "New world„
And yet it still lasts for a whole month, until the ships reached an island. Columbus imagines himself to the South of Japan. Today, we know that the Santa Maria, Niña and Pinta have gone to the Bahamas in front of the anchor. The Navigator wants to continue, to China. On the way, he discovered the Islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, where the impressive Santa Maria runs on the first day of Christmas, on a shoal. The vessel is lost, a part of the Crew remains.
In mid-January, Columbus makes aboard the Niña on the way back, the Pinta stands parallel to the sea. In front of the Azores, the two ships got into a terrible storm. The Crew of the Niña loses contact with the Pinta. Columbus clings to the railing, praying in the sweat of his brow for a safe homecoming. He'll thank you in the convent of Santa Clara, he promises to God, while the wood groans and moans in the violence of the sea.
Thanks to prayer at the nearby monastery of Santa Clara
God is gracious to him, and he reached at the 4. March 1493 Lisbon. His knees tremble as he enters for the first Time in the country. You did it. Back in Huelva, Columbus visited on 16. In may 1493, once again, the wise Abbess of Santa Clara. The Navigator is grateful to be back in one piece. Maybe he takes a drink in the monastery kitchen from the 14. Century-to-be?
Even today, visitors are amazed in the monastery kitchen the brightness that raises the small round roof window in the room. The Original Church pews from 1317 is still the way it looked Columbus already. Only the mighty Alabaster sarcophagus in front of the Altar are under the age: you come from 16. Century. Here is the teacher of Michelangelo is buried. Mirror images of the monastery of Santa Clara can be found today in all of South America. In summer, there are several tours per day, but it is recommended beforehand to make an appointment.
Replicas of the famous sailing ships
The three ships of Columbus‘ you can still have a true-to-life impression – even though they are considered to be lost. How is that possible? The 500-year anniversary of the discovery of America the Spanish ship's carpenters of the small town of Palos de la Frontera, near Huelva, faithful replicas of the small glider, with which Columbus made herself on the way constructed. Proud Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Niña are at the Muelle de las Carabelas, and from the outside like the inside to inspect. It still feels Tight and the anxiety that must have affected the sailors during the voyage.
The city of Huelva
A trip to the Andalusian city of in is recommended as part of a day trip Huelva. The Region was probably in the 10. Century before Christ populated. During excavations in the 90s, more than 3,000 Keramikfragmeten were found Phoenician Art. But also Greek, Cypriot, and Sardinian pieces including. The archaeological Muse Uman Alameda Sundheim shows a lot of artifacts.
Close to the Plaza de las Monjas, you can look at by a tank, glass, soil excavations from the Roman period. This "place of the nuns," before the earthquake of Lisbon, the vegetable garden of the monastery. Today, the tourists is here to find more. The Roman aqueduct, the city is still supplied with water today, nearly all buildings from the period before the earthquake in 1755.
From the heyday of the bourgeoisie, the Palacio de Mora Claros comes. The magnificent building was built in 1912 and got in 1919 to its present-day fine-tuning. It combines different architectural style. Also, the Great theatre in 1923, with its powerful columns is a real Photo in the center. The town hall in the style of the architect Juan de Herrera's is the eye-catcher at the space La Constitución. And the Cathedral of La Merced was rebuilt after the earthquake twice again.
Gastronomic Tip
If in Huelva is still time until the departure of the vessel, it is worth a culinary trip to the city. If you like Tapas, you should definitely try fresh shrimp. Also fried squid and the ham in the province are worth a try For the Jamon de Bellota pigs eat acorns before slaughter. Rounding out the culinary enjoyment of a Tinto de Verano, a mixture of red wine and lemon-lime soda. The sounds in the first Moment of getting used to, but it is a perfect refreshment for warm summer temperatures.
Arrival of cruise ship
The replicas of the ships of Christopher Columbus, not far from the cruise port of Puerto de Huelva. Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Niña are at the Muelle de las Carabelas in Palos de la Frontera, less than ten miles from the cruise port. The best way to order a Taxi or a private driver. To Visit the replicas of the ships of Columbus, you should allow approximately 1 hour.
If enough time is available, you can take the copies to the monastery of Santa Clara in Moguer, in the Columbus prayers spoke for a heal Crossing. The monastery is situated about 20 kilometers from the cruise investors. To travel from Columbus‘ ships, you can book either a driver for the entire Tour (the guest relations Manager onboard are sure to be a good support). Or take one of the local Taxis in the claim.
Rounding can be Huelva the tour with a trip to the city center. Alternatively, cruise passengers can place the 15 km to the centre of Huelva, with the port's own Shuttle back.
Photo Sources: Title Image + Post Image 1 + Post Image For 3 + Post Image 4 Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com