Video: Colomares Spanish castle, built in honor of Christopher Columbus
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
The famous American writer Mark Twain sarcastically about the discovery of America: "It is wonderful that America was discovered, but it would be much more wonderful if Columbus sailed by." But the Spaniards, who all strive to call their country the small homeland of the famous traveler, are much more hospitable to his discoveries. In 1994 (on the anniversary of the 500th anniversary of a significant event for America) in the town of Benalmaden, work was completed on Colomares castle, which is dedicated to … of course, the legendary Christopher!
The architecture of the castle attracts attention, first of all, by the variety of styles: there are elements of the Gothic, Byzantine, Romanesque and Moorish styles. It is also worth noting that the "author" of the architectural masterpiece Esteban Martin worked on his brainchild for 7 years, although the man has no special education, he devoted his whole life to medicine. He took two ordinary workers as his assistants, who had previously been engaged only in bricklaying, but here they mastered all the wisdom of construction work. In addition to brick, they also worked with marble and stone, and some of the elements are made of wood.
The “stylistic” diversity is not accidental: in this way Esteban Martin wanted to combine in one castle the elements of the three cultures of medieval Spain - Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In addition, the castle is decorated with three ships, symbolizing the ships that reached the coveted shores of America. Interestingly, the Colomares castle "distinguished itself" in two nominations at once in the Guinness Book of Records: as the world's largest monument to Columbus (the area of the castle is 1500 sq. M.), As well as the award was given to the world's smallest chapel, which is located on the territory of Colomares (its area is 1, 96 sq.m.).
Interestingly, several years after the opening, the castle was used for falconry. True, when cats of people living nearby began to suffer from birds of prey, this idea had to be abandoned. Today Colomares is one of the popular tourist attractions in the town of Benalmaden. Of course, it has no historical value, but it will appeal to all fans of fantasy architecture.
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