When visiting Vigo, Galicia's biggest port, the approximately one hour drive southwest to the beautiful Atlantic coast town of Bayona is a must.
History fans will be delighted to discover and explore the replica of Columbus' second biggest ship, the Pinta and it is impossible to miss the towering statue of the Virgen de la Roca overlooking the harbour, holding a ship in her outstretched hand. Like the statue itself, the ship is huge and the visitor can actually climb into it.
Story of the Pinta
The sail ship Pinta was a three-masted caravel, able to carry 26 men. She was built in Palos de la Frontera and was the second largest of the three caravels which Columbus took across the Atlantic on his first crossing in 1492. Like the "Nina", Pinta (the painted one) was not the ship's real name but a nick name. The real name is unknown.
Captain of the Pinta was Martin Alonso Pinzon, an adventurer, experienced sailor and member of a famous family of ship owners. It was from aboard the Pinta that the New World was first spotted and the ship returned to Spain in 1493 to bring the news.
During the return journey, the Pinta got separated from the Nina and the Santa Maria and was the first to arrive in Bayona to bring the news of the discovery of the New World. The ship made further Atlantic crossings and went finally down in a hurricane in 1500 near the Turk and Caicos islands.
A replica of the Pinta is anchored in the port of Bayona and can be visited. Just below the Castillo de Monte Real , where the docks spread out, the Pinta is accessible by a wooden walkway. It's not easy to find, because there is no sign posting, but the visitor who knows what he is looking for, can spot her from above.
Admission is €1 and the visitor is greeted by a wooden carved figure of Captain Pinzon, hunched over his charts and looking decidedly grumpy. Behind him, great care has been taken in duplicating the conditions of seafarers' lives of the time. A steep ladder leads down into the hold, where one can find replicas of the supplies they carried with them and the treasures they brought back from the New World, Indians, parrots and exotic fruit included.
Once again, it is surprising and fascinating to observe in what cramped and claustrophobic conditions sailors of the 15th century embarked on great adventures, driven by the spirit of discovery as well as greed.
Santa Maria de Afuera
Leaving Bayona and returning to Vigo via a scenic route, leads past a junction with a very steep road up to the mountain statue of Santa Maria de Afuera, also known as La Virgen de la Roca. And rightly so, because the immense statue of the Virgin Mary is carved out of the rock and looms over Bayona and the Atlanic beyond, watching over sailors and blessing their ships, symbolised by the one she holds in her hand.
Again, €1 is requested as a donation and then the visitor, one at a time, is admitted to climb a steep, narrow spiral stone staircase in the interior of the statue. The steps are slightly slippery, but at the top the visitor alights at the height of the ship into which he can step and enjoy the spectacular view.
Of course, Bayona and the surroundings have much more to offer, but the visit to two ships, one a replica of times past and the other a symbol for sailors, seems a fitting trip to a port town, the history of which is closely connected to the ocean.
Inka Piegsa-Quischotte - Since two years I am a full time travel and lifestyle writer and blogger. I published several articles and blogs on ...
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