Wharf of the Caravels facts for kids
| Muelle de las Carabelas | |
Replicas of the Pinta, Niña, and Santa María at the Wharf.
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| Established | 15 March 1994 |
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| Location | Palos de la Frontera, Spain |
| Type | Public |
| Visitors | 200,000 (2008) |
The Wharf of the Caravels (Spanish: Muelle de las Carabelas) is a cool museum in Palos de la Frontera, a town in the Huelva province of Andalusia, Spain. Its main attractions are amazing copies of Christopher Columbus's ships. These were the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. Columbus used these ships for his very first trip to the Americas.
These replica ships were built in 1992. This was part of a big celebration for the 500th anniversary of Columbus's journey. The ships were tested on the sea and then sailed the same route Columbus took. The museum is run by the government of Huelva province. It covers a large area of about 11,500 square meters (123,785 square feet).
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The Story of the Wharf of the Caravels
In 1992, people around the world celebrated 500 years since Columbus's first voyage to the Americas. Spain was a big part of these celebrations. They launched exact copies of the ships Columbus sailed. On board were famous sailors like the Pinzón Brothers and the Niño Brothers. Many other sailors from the region also joined the trip.
These three replica ships were first shown at the Seville Expo '92. They then traveled to many exhibitions across Europe and the Americas. The ships were even used in the movie 1492: Conquest of Paradise. After all these events, the government of Andalusia bought the ships. They wanted to create a special place for them.
This led to building the Wharf of the Caravels. It is located near La Rábida Monastery in Palos de la Frontera. This area is very important because it's where Columbus prepared for his first voyage. The museum opened in 1994. Since then, it has welcomed many visitors. In 2007, almost 200,000 people visited the museum. This makes it one of the most popular tourist spots in Andalusia.
What You Can Explore at the Museum
Discovering the Past: Interpretive Center
The Interpretive Center is a building full of interesting exhibits. You can learn about what life was like in the 1400s. There are also displays about Columbus's famous journey. You can see copies of old maps, weapons, and important agreements. These include the Tratado de Tordesillas and the Treaty of Alcáçovas.
Upstairs, there's an exhibit of Pre-Columbian art. This art was made by people in the Americas before Columbus arrived. One cool part is a half-hour video. It tells the story of the voyage from the point of view of the sailors.
Stepping Aboard the Replica Ships
The most exciting part of the museum is seeing the three replica ships: the Pinta, Niña, and Santa María. These ships were built in a fishing port called Isla Cristina. They were the main reason the Wharf of the Caravels was created.
The ships are now docked in a special curved harbor. Visitors can go inside and explore each ship. You can see the holds and cabins up close. The copies are very accurate to the original ships. However, the Pinta has a small staircase added to its hold. This makes it easier and safer for visitors to go inside. The Niña's hold cannot be visited. This is because its design is very true to history, and it would not be safe for the public to enter. On the larger Santa María, you can see Columbus's cabin. Sometimes, an actor dressed as a scribe is there. You can also go deep into the ship's lower parts.
Exploring a Medieval Village
Near the ships, there's a special area called the Barrio Medieval. This is a copy of a medieval port village. It shows what daily life was like for ordinary people around the time of Columbus's voyage. You can see a market, a pottery workshop, and many carts. There's even a recreated tavern where you can buy food and drinks. This area is a fun way to imagine the old port of Palos de la Frontera.
Many items in the market, like pottery, ironwork, and things made from esparto fiber, show what goods might have been carried on the ships.
The Island of Encounter
The Isla del Encuentro (which means "Island of the Encounter") tries to show the world Columbus's crew found. This is how the island of Guanahani might have looked when they first landed in the Americas. The museum has tried to show the culture of the native people.
You can see a cottage with wooden frames and reed walls. There are also statues of people doing everyday things, like fishing or cooking. You can see various objects they used daily. Plus, there are copies of animals typical of the Caribbean, such as tortoises, parrots, and different kinds of fish.
The Museum as a Film Set and Event Venue
The Wharf of the Caravels, especially the three replica ships, has been used in several movies. These films are often about Columbus's journey. Director Vicente Aranda used the museum for two of his films: Mad Love and Tirant lo Blanc. In 2003, the Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz took photos for their album Gaia at the museum. They dressed up as pirates for the pictures!
Many other events are also held at the museum. These often include celebrations related to Columbus's voyage. Since the museum is open all year, events can happen on important dates. These include August 3rd (when Columbus left), March 15th (when he returned), and October 12th (when he landed in the Americas). The museum is also used for other events that are not related to the voyage.
See also
In Spanish: Muelle de las Carabelas para niños
