Cristobal Colombo
It goes almost without saying that when in Seville, you must visit the Cathedral of Seville. And so, until now, I’ve avoided posting about this obvious site. However, I must write about an interesting component of the Cathedral that many visitors pass over – the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
First, a disclaimer: many people do not believe Columbus’ actual body – or at least not the entire thing - is contained within this coffin. In 1877, a box of bones with Columbus’ name on it was discovered in Cuba. DNA testing and research have not been able to determine which bones actually belong to the famous explorer. But most Sevillanos will tell you that this extravagant tomb is his final resting place, and many experts agree. Either way, it is a magnificent sight.
Surprisingly, the coffin is not displayed in a very obvious place. It’s located in one of the eastern-most sections of the church and could easily blend in with the rest of the cathedral’s elaborate ornamentation. Be sure to get an information pamphlet or ask an employee to point out the spot.
The experience of stading feet away from the famed Christopher Columbus moved me very much. He his a man whose name is known by the entire world; the Portugese proudly call him one of their countrymen, the Spanish boast their connections to him and the Americas remember him for his groundbreaking travels. Even cooler is the fact that he died more than 500 years ago. It was a shock to stumble upon the tomb of a man I’ve learned so much about, and I had difficulty fully comprehending it. I suggest doing some research on his life before you go to really appreciate the experience.
Information on the Seville Cathedral.
