Columbus Lighthouse facts for kids
The Columbus Lighthouse
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| Established | 1992 |
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| Location | Santo Domingo Este Dominican Republic |
| Type | Mausoleum, Museum |
| Architect | Teófilo Carbonell J. L. Gleave |
The Columbus Lighthouse (which means "Lighthouse to Columbus" in Spanish) is a huge monument and mausoleum (a building that holds a tomb) dedicated to Christopher Columbus. You can find it in Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic.
Building this monument started in 1986. The plans were first drawn in 1931 by a Scottish architect named J.L. Gleave. The lighthouse was finished and opened in 1992. This was just in time for the 500th anniversary of Columbus's first voyage to the Americas. Many countries in Latin America helped pay for it. The total cost was about US$70 million.
The monument is designed like a lighthouse. It sends out powerful beams of light that form a cross shape in the sky. These lights are so strong that you can even see them from the nearby island of Puerto Rico.
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What is the Columbus Lighthouse?
The Columbus Lighthouse is a monument shaped like a cross. It is made from very strong concrete. It is about 680 feet (207 meters) long and 195 feet (59 meters) wide. The cross shape stands for the spread of Christianity in the Americas.
The building has 157 light beams that shine up into the sky. There is also a rotating light beam that is so bright it can be seen from space!
Who is Buried at the Lighthouse?
The authorities in the Dominican Republic say that the remains of Christopher Columbus are kept inside the lighthouse. However, authorities in Spain have done DNA tests. These tests show that the Cathedral of Seville in Spain also has the remains of Columbus.
Some researchers believe it's possible that bones in both places could belong to the famous explorer. The Dominican authorities have not allowed DNA tests on the remains in the lighthouse. So, it is not fully known if any of Columbus's remains are there.
The monument is both a mausoleum (a place for a tomb) and a museum. The museum shows many interesting objects. These include an old boat from Cuba and some jewelry from Colombia. Once a year, on Columbus Day, the remains are put on display in their special crypt, behind a glass sheet.
History of the Columbus Lighthouse
The idea for a monument to Columbus in Santo Domingo came a long time ago. A Dominican historian, Antonio Delmonte y Tejada, wrote about it in his book in 1852. Later, in 1914, an American named Pulliam William Ellis started promoting the idea of a huge beacon. He shared his idea with the American press.
The idea was accepted in 1923 at a big meeting in Chile. It was decided that all governments and people of the Americas should work together to build this monument.
Who Designed the Lighthouse?
A Scottish architect named Joseph Lea Gleave won a design competition for the lighthouse. He was chosen from 455 people from 48 different countries! The competition took place in Brazil in 1931. Famous architects like Eliel Saarinen and Frank Lloyd Wright were among the judges.
However, by 1950, only eight countries had given money for the project. It was less than $15,000. Still, the Dominican government decided to move forward. They started digging the foundation in 1948.
When Was it Built?
After 1948, there were some political problems. This meant that construction had to stop for a while. Building finally started again in 1986. This was during the time of President Joaquín Balaguer. A Dominican architect named Teófilo Carbonell oversaw the work.
The lighthouse was finally finished in 1992. This was perfect timing for the 500-year celebration of the discovery of the Americas.
What is Inside the Museum?
Joseph Lea Gleave first planned the monument as just a mausoleum. But former President Balaguer wanted it to also have a permanent collection of exhibits. These exhibits would come from each country in the Americas, and even some from Europe and Asia.
The exhibitions show cultural items from each country. For example, the United States's exhibit once included small photos of Independence Day celebrations. It also had large copies of newspaper front pages about the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
See also
- List of monuments and memorials to Christopher Columbus
In Spanish: Faro a Colón para niños
