Christopher Columbus in Spain: Many years ago, in the early modern period, the expeditions of Columbus ignited European exploration and colonization of the American continents and are of huge importance and immense value in World History.
Christopher Columbus Discoveries
Christopher Columbus made a total of four trips to the Americas. His first trip to the Americas resulted in what is popularly known as the ‘Discovery of America’ or ‘Discovery of the Americas’. After traveling from Portugal, Christopher Columbus landed at Palos, which is in Andalucia- Spain, in the year 1485.
He traveled with his son, Diego, and somehow managed to go to the Franciscan friary of Santa María de La Rábida; near the mouth of Rio Tinto. For all travelers, Friaries provided food and accommodation.
The monastery stood on quite the serene pine-covered hill, overlooking the junction of the Tinto and Odiel Rivers where their estuary flows out toward the open Atlantic. Its guardian, Antonio de Marchena, was to be a figure of importance to the career of Christopher Columbus.
Political Aspects
Much before the year 1942 and before Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Americas, Spain’s only possession of any consequence outside Europe was the Canary Islands. But, by the middle of the sixteenth century, Spain had taken charge of much of the Caribbean and a considerable portion of the Americas and some parts of Africa.
This hasty acquirement of overseas assets was escorted and supported by the establishment and consolidation of hegemony in Europe through a series of political marriages.
Spain politically, publicly, and economically governed her great empire and, much unlike the Portuguese, who were restricted to just the coastal regions and tenuously held outposts, the Spaniards were able to penetrate inland and establish much more permanent settlements.
Christopher Columbus in Spain Facts
It is said by some people, that Christopher Columbus, after having left Portugal, applied for help to the Republic of Genoa. He was found to be unsuccessful, and so we find him at the gate of the convent which was near Palos, in Andalusia, which was actually dedicated to Santa Maria de Rabida.
When the porter went to get some food and drink for his boy, the prior of the convent, Friar Juan Perez de Marchena, happened to pass by and was immediately fascinated by the distinguished facet of the stranger.
Later, he came to find out that he was on his way to the neighboring town, Huelva, to seek for his brother-in-law, probably Pedro Correo, already mentioned. He also learned, from a brief conversation, that the stranger was an extraordinary man, and he invited Columbus to remain as his guest.
With increasing wonder and admiration he heard the lips of the navigator unfold his theories, his plans, and his hopes. That such a man should stand a beggar at his convent gate was a marvel to Father Marchena.
More Info on- Christopher Columbus Caribbean, Biography, Childhood