Following the steps of the Galician Colombus
A family saga, explorers in stone, a change of identity and the first port in Europe that learned about the Discovery of America. Come and discover the places that link Christopher Colombus to the province of Pontevedra.
Where did Christopher Colombus come from? The answer to this question might be, according to some theories, in the province of Pontevedra. Visit As Rías Baixas and enjoy exciting stories about the probable origin of one of the most famous explorers ever.
In the town of Poio, next to the city of Pontevedra, at the end of the 15th century there was a family saga called Columbus, according to some documents of the time. In the same town, on the façade of the museum Casa Museo de Colón there is a stone cross with an engraving that reads: “Juan Colón R” 1490.
In the same town, there is a grove of sequoias, a gift from the American government in 1992, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in America.
It is also said that the caravel Santa María, used in the expedition to the Indies in 1492, was built in the shipyard. In summer, the Columbus Day is celebrated in the village of Combarro.
In the town of Pontevedra you can stroll around its old town and admire its architecture with reminiscences of the New World. The figures of Christopher Colombus and Hernán Cortés can be seen by the magnificent rose window of the Basilica de Santa María A Maior, one of the most remarkable façades in Pontevedra.
The Festa da Arribada in Baiona, of International Tourist Interest, commemorates every year the arrival of the caravel Pinta in 1493
On board the caravel Pinta
La réplica de la nave, reconvertida en museo, alberga elementos de la época colombina, tanto de la cultura cristiana como de la indígena taína. Quienes visitan la carabela pueden contemplarla tal como llegó a Baiona en 1493 y revivir la gesta del descubrimiento con figuras de la tripulación y las y los indígenas americanos. Paneles interpretativos, juegos interactivos, reproducciones de metales, plantas, alimentos y animales exóticos transportarán 500 años atrás a la y al visitante.
Your next stop is the Soutomaior Castle, which used to be the residence of the nobleman Pedro Madruga. It is believed that this nobleman and Columbus may be the same person.
Then, you can move towards the south of the Ría de Vigo to find the beautiful town of Baiona. On 1st March 1493, the caravel Pinta, commanded by Martín Alonso Pinzón, arrived in this fishing town of As Rías Baixas. The port of Baiona was the first in Europe to learn about the Discovery of America.
Every year, on the first weekend of March the medieval festival Festa da Arribada, of International Tourist Interest, is held to commemorate this event.
You can't miss it...
- Casa Museo de Colón
- Basilica of Santa María a Maior
- Soutomaior Castle
- Port of Baiona