Castillo de Colomares Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Castillo de Colomares
Castillo de Colomares
Castillo de Colomares, Benalmádena
Coordinates	36°35′26″N 4°34′21″W / 36.5906°N 4.5725°W / 36.5906; -4.5725
Location	Benalmádena, Spain
Beginning date	1987
Completion date	1994
Dedicated to	Christopher Columbus

The Castillo de Colomares is a unique monument in Benalmádena, Spain. It looks like a castle but was built to honor the life and amazing journeys of Christopher Columbus.

This special place was constructed between 1987 and 1994. It covers a huge area of 1,500 square meters. This makes it the largest monument in the world dedicated to an explorer! It also holds a surprising secret: the world's smallest church, which is only 1.96 square meters big.

Discovering the Colomares Castle
- Who Built This Amazing Castle?
- Christopher Columbus's Big Journey
Gallery
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Discovering the Colomares Castle

Dr. D. Esteban Martín Martín started building this incredible castle in 1987. He didn't have a full plan at first. With the help of just two masons, he worked for seven years. They used brick, stone, and cement to create the Colomares Castle.

Dr. Martín knew a lot about art, history, and architecture. This knowledge helped him shape the castle as he wished. It became a one-of-a-kind monument. It tells the story of the Discovery of America using stone and unique designs.

Who Built This Amazing Castle?

The castle was built by Dr. D. Esteban Martín Martín. He was a doctor who loved history and art. He worked with two masons to create this detailed monument. It took them seven years to finish it.

Christopher Columbus's Big Journey

Christopher Columbus was a very smart sailor. He knew a lot about geography, stars, and math. Seven years before his famous trip, Columbus shared his plan with different countries. Only the Catholic Monarchs of Spain agreed to help him.

He needed skilled sailors for his voyages. He found them in Palos de la Frontera, a town in Huelva province. Martín Alonso Pinzón was a key person. He convinced many brave sailors to join Columbus. At the castle, a bronze horse head represents Pinzón. It looks like Pegasus, a mythical winged horse.

Queen Isabel of Castile believed in Columbus and helped him. Her royal shields are also shown in bronze at the castle. This is a way to thank her forever.

The First Voyage: Setting Sail

Columbus and 96 crew members left Palos on August 3, 1492. Most of the sailors were from Andalusia, a region in Spain. After getting supplies and fixing their ships in the Canary Islands, they sailed into the unknown.

Thirty-three days later, they reached an island. It was October 12, 1492. Columbus named the island San Salvador. The local people called it "Island of the Iguanas." Inside the castle, there is a small chapel with an image of San Salvador. A sailor's bell is also there to remember the island.

The Three Famous Ships

The Castillo de Colomares shows the three ships Columbus used. These were the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María.

The Niña is at the top of the building. It is under an arch that represents La Rabida. This was a monastery that helped Columbus when he arrived from Portugal.
The Pinta is on the main front of the castle. This ship belonged to the Pinzón brothers. It is supported by the Pegasus horse statue.
The Santa María is shown separately from the other two. This is because it had an accident and sank on Christmas Day in Santo Domingo. About 39 sailors from this ship stayed on the island. Sadly, they did not return to Spain because they died there.

Columbus's Last Journey

Columbus made four trips across the ocean. He died after these journeys. At the Castillo Monumento Colomares, there is a special tomb with a beautiful Gothic rose window. This represents his "fifth trip" to eternity. No one knows for sure where his remains are or where he was born.

Spain, especially the region of Andalusia, played a big part in this discovery. It was an event that changed the world. Some people believe it changed things for the better, while others think it made things worse.