The Columbus Lighthouse is one of the most remarkable sights in the Dominican Republic. Located an architectural monument in the city of Santo Domingo. The construction of the lighthouse lasted 6 years, and about $ 70 million was spent from the treasury. Why is the building so interesting for tourists? First of all, its appearance is not an elegant, high tower, with which the lighthouse is associated, but a monumental building built in the form of a Christian cross, with a museum and mausoleum, where the remains of the famous navigator and traveler Christopher Columbus rest.
General information about the Columbus Lighthouse
An impressive structure built of light marble on a hill in the eastern part of Santo Domingo, only a person with a well-developed imagination can imagine a lighthouse. In fact, the lighthouse is designed in the form of a cross, and it is quite difficult to say that the building looks aesthetically pleasing, but it is really fascinating. White marble was chosen for the construction, symbolizing the light and purity of the Christian faith.
Interesting fact! According to the Swedish architect’s plan, 157 spotlights were installed on the roof, which projected a cross in the sky at night.
On the walls of the memorial complex there are marble slabs on which the sayings of Columbus himself and other prominent people are written. There is a beautiful garden around the Lighthouse, where you can walk, relax and carefully inspect the building from the outside.
The building of the Columbus Lighthouse in the Dominican Republic is slightly frightening in its scale and style. This is a huge concrete structure that resembles Soviet radar stations. Many, of course, are perplexed-why was the Dominican Republic chosen for the construction of the mausoleum of Columbus? An interesting story is connected with this.
Historical excursion
Christopher Columbus made four expeditions, which, however, did not make him rich and famous during his lifetime. In the spring of 1506, Columbus died in Seville, before his death, he bequeathed that his body be buried on the continent he discovered. Then the navigator’s will was not fulfilled, but after a while the lands of the New World began to bring the Spanish conquistadors a lot of gold and silver, their importance gradually strengthened and in this regard the name of Christopher Columbus was again remembered. In the middle of the 16th century, the Spanish emperor decided to move the remains of Columbus to Haiti, previously the island was called Hispaniola. However, the French conquerors forced the Spaniards to change the place of burial of the traveler again — his ashes were transported to Cuba. When Spain lost the island, the navigator’s ashes returned to the Dominican Republic and rested in the temple of Santo Domingo.
In some documents, there is a version that the remains of the traveler returned to Seville, but according to the results of research, it became clear that the ashes belong to a man of a slight build of 45 years, and Columbus was strong, tall and lived to 54 years. In addition, an urn with ashes was found in the church of Santo Domingo, on which the inscription “Christopher Columbus” was preserved. The results of an expert examination conducted in Seville confirm the high probability that the remains really belong to the navigator.
When the identification of the ashes was finished, the city authorities announced a competition for the design of the Columbus Memorial, which was attended by more than 450 architects from 50 countries. Among the participants was a specialist from the Soviet Union. The winner was an architect from Scotland, according to his plan, the Columbus Lighthouse was a huge concrete structure. Construction took a long time, with intervals, because there was often no money. The grand opening of the memorial was held in 1992 (500 years since the discovery of America). By the way, the Dominican Republic received a loan for the construction of the monument from the United States, but what happened to the money — history is silent. According to one version, planes carrying foreign currency mysteriously disappeared. In any case, very little of this money was spent on the construction of the Columbus Lighthouse.
Architecture, what to see inside the building
From certain angles, the Columbus Lighthouse in the Dominican Republic looks like pyramids built by native American Indians, but if you look at the attraction from above, it is a cross. The fact is that the sails on the ships of the first expedition were decorated with crosses, and according to the Catholic Church, the Spanish navigator brought the Christian religion to the New World.
Interesting fact! On the day of the grand opening, the sarcophagus with the traveler’s ashes was carried around the city, and Pope John Paul II took part in the ceremony.
Main attractions in the Dominican Republic:
- height-33 m;
- length-310 m;
- width — 44 m.
The structure is called a lighthouse, because 157 powerful searchlights are installed on the roof, aimed at the sky. When they are turned on, you can see a cross in the dark sky. Locals say the pillar of light is visible from Puerto Rico, which is 400 km away. Unfortunately, floodlights are not always turned on, because the cost of electricity is too high.
What to see inside
Of course, the main room of the Columbus Lighthouse is the mausoleum, where the sarcophagus with the remains of the navigator is installed. There are always guards standing guard at the entrance.
Interesting fact! There are many graves where Christopher Columbus is buried — in Genoa, Seville, but, of course, residents of the Dominican Republic are sure that the traveler’s burial place is in Santo Domingo.
You can also dedicate a museum dedicated to the traveler’s expeditions, the development of the New World and the construction of an architectural complex. Several halls tell about the history of friendly countries that donated money for construction.
The museum’s collection is diverse and interesting. Here are artifacts, authentic documents about the voyages of Columbus, his discoveries. Here you can trace the influence of Spanish and European culture on the indigenous people of not only the Dominican Republic, but also the entire Caribbean. In addition, the museum has an archive and library, there is a chapel where services are held, but not regularly, but only on special religious holidays.
Practical information
- Location of the Columbus Lighthouse in the Dominican Republic: Av. Ana, Santo Domingo, 11604.
- Opening hours: daily except Monday from 9-00 to 17-00.
- Tickets cost 100 pesos or just over 5 dollars
Interesting facts and useful tips
- Many tourists note that the Columbus Lighthouse is more impressive for its monumentality than luxury, and it will take 30-40 minutes to explore the mausoleum and museum collection.
- One of the most interesting exhibits is a Mayan scroll, which is considered the best preserved document in the world.
- The attraction is located on the outskirts of Santo Domingo, in an area where it is dangerous for tourists to walk. The police recommend traveling only in a car — taxi or rented car.
- If you decide to get to the Columbus Lighthouse on your own, you can go to the Mirardo Del Este Park, as well as the picturesque Three Eyes Cave nearby, which you can visit after visiting the museum and mausoleum.
- Tourists who have visited the Columbus Lighthouse in the Dominican Republic, first of all, recommend visiting the halls where exhibits from the countries visited by the traveler are presented. Here are models of ships, personal correspondence of Columbus, clothing of sailors, weapons, jewelry.
- During daylight hours, you can climb to the observation deck, which offers a beautiful view of Santo Domingo.
- Since turning on all 157 spotlights every day is an unacceptable luxury for the Dominican Republic, the authorities decided to turn on the lights twice a year-on October 12, when Columbus discovered America, and on New Year’s Eve at midnight.
The Columbus Lighthouse is the most controversial monument in the Dominican Republic. Many people call the structure a dubious work of art, but one thing is for sure – a monumental building that stands out from the overall picture will not leave anyone indifferent.