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Palos de la Frontera
Huelva (prov.)

La Rábida

Monumento al Descubrimiento de América

Monument for the Discovery of America

1892/1963

Palos de la Frontera / Monumento al Descubrimiento de América

Description

The Monumento al Descubrimiento de América (Monument for the Discovery of America) or Monumento a los Descubridores (Monument for the discoverers) (the sign next to it howevar reads Monumento a la Fe Descubridora, Monument for the discoverer's faith) in the park near the Monastery of La Rábida is originally erected in 1892 after a design of the architect don Ricardo Velázquez Bosco. From this original monument, however, only the base with steps is remaining.
In the 1960s the architect of Cultura Hispánica, Luis Martínez Feducci, remarkably modified the plan of the primitive monument, as much in the obelisk, finished in 1963, like in the stairs, concluded in 1967
The original monument (black and white photo) consisted of a hexagonal pedestal (22 meter in height), on which stands a column (25 meter in height). The capital of the column is a group of savages which upholds it. The cornice is a representation of the diadem of the Catholic Kings, above which is a globe 15 meter in diameter, with a large cross as a finial. On the equator of this globe are inscribed the names of Columbus and Isabella, and on the lower part of the column are the names of all the persons who cooperated in the accomplishment of the undertaking either by their personal help or influence.
The present monument (color photo) has a square pedestal, a thicker round obelisk with has a rather simple capital with a cross.

Inscription(s)

AÑO DE MIL OCHOCIENTOS NOVENTA Y DOS
REINANDO DON ALFONSO XIII
BAJO LA REGENCIA DE SU MADRE
DOÑA MARIA CRISTINA DE AUSTRIA
CON MOTIVO DEL CUARTO CENTENARIO
DEL DESCUBRIMIENTO DE AMERICA
Y ARA QUE AQUI CONMEMORE SIEMPRE
TAN SECUNDO Y GLORIOSE SUCESO
ERIGIO ES AÑA ESTA COLUMNA QUE
DOMINA SITIO DESDE DONDE
LAS NAVES DE COLON SALIERON AL OCEANO
EN BUSCA DEL DESCONOCIDO CONTINENTE

EL DOCE DE OCTUBRE DE 1[9]6[3] DIA DE LA HISPANIDAD
SIENDO JEFE DEL ESTADO ESPAÑOL
S.E. EL GENERALISIMO DON FRANCISCO FRANCO BAHAMOND
EL INSTITUTO DE CULTURA HISPANICA
DIO FIN A LA RESTAURACION DE ESTE MONUMENTO.
Translation: On the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety two reigning don Alfonso XIII under the regency of his mother Dona Mary Christine of Austria on occasion of the fourth centenary of the discovery of America and altar that here will always commemorate such fertile and glorious event Spain erected this column that dominates the site from where Columbus's ships departure to the ocean in search of the unknown continent. On October 12, 1[9]6[3[ day of the hispanic people, being head of the Spanish state H.E. the Generalissimo Don Francisco Franco Bahamonte, the Institute of Hispanic Culture ended the restauration of this monument.

On the pedestal a plaque is mounted with the text:
"Aqui fue coronada la imagen de Ntra. Sra. de los Milagros Sta. M^a de la Rabida, por Su Santidad el Papa Juan Pablo II el dia 14 de Junio de 1993.
Actuando de madrina Su Alteza la Infanta Cristina de Borbon y Grecia en representacion de S.S. M.M. D. Juan Carlos I y D^a Sofia.
Siendo parroco de San Jorge Juan Francisco Garcia Rodriguez, Alcaldesa Pilar Pulgar Fraile, Superior del Monasterio P. Luis Blanco. Parroco Antonio Gomez y Junta directiva de la Hermandad.
[names]
Conmemoracion del I aniversario de la coroneacion. Palos de la Frontera, 14 Junio de 1994."
Translation: Here was crowned the image of Our Lady of the Miracles Saint Ma. of the Rabida, by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on June 14, 1993. Officiating as a godmother Her Highness Infanta Christina of Borbón and Greece in representation of HH.MM. D. Juan Carlos I and Da. Sofía. Being parish priest of Saint George John Francis Garcia Rodríguez, Mayor Pilar Pulgar Fraile, Superior of the Monastery F. Louis Blanco, Parish priest Anthony Gomez and the Board of the Fraternity.
(names)
Commemoration of the 1st. anniversary of the crowning. Palos de la Frontera, June 14, 1994.

This monument on postcards

Click here for the postcard(s) and enlargement(s)

Sources & Information

Néstor Ponce de León, The Columbus Gallery (New York, 1893), p. 84-85.
Sebastián García, O.F.M., La Rábida, pórtico del Nuevo Mundo: Síntesis histórico-artística ([Palos de la Frontera]: Comunidad Franciscana del Convento de Santa María de la Rábida, 1998), p. 179-181.
Postcard in author's collection.
Translations: Marcos Iglesias

Locatie (N 37°12'27" - W 6°55'26") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: esan028; Photograph: 8 March 2002

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