Columbus Monument
San Salvador Island
Situated on San Salvador Island, in Long Bay, the Columbus Monument is an iconic historical landmark that commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World on October 12th, 1492. The monument is placed on the floor of the ocean in the exac same spot where Columbus dropped anchor. This site holds significant historical value, marking the beginning of European exploration in the Americas.
Historical Context
San Salvador Island, formerly known as Watling’s Island, is widely recognized as the location where Columbus first set foot in the Americas. The island was originally inhabited by the Lucayan people, who referred to it as Guanahaní. Upon arrival, Columbus renamed it San Salvador, meaning “Holy Savior” in Spanish.
The monument itself is a white stone cross, erected in 1956 by Ruth Durlacher Wolper, an artist and historian.
Visiting the Monument
Landfall Park is accessible via a short drive from Cockburn Town, the island’s main settlement. The park offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and serves as a serene spot for reflection and photography. Informational plaques provide visitors with historical insights about the site.
Additional Monuments and why it is confusing
In addition to the monument on San Salvador, there is a statue of Christopher Columbus located in front of the Government House in Nassau, New Providence Island. This statue was erected in 1830 by Governor James Carmichael Smyth and serves as another tribute to Columbus’s voyages.
There is also another monument called “Columbus Monument / Lucayan Memorial” in Long Island.
Location
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This is the tour I did during my time in the Bahamas and personally recommend—leaving the link below so you can check it out for yourself.
Are you ready to start discovering Bahamas?
This is the tour I did during my time in the Bahamas and personally recommend—leaving the link below so you can check it out for yourself.
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