Monasterio de Santa María de la Rábida, Gothic monastery in Palos de la Frontera, Spain
Santa María de la Rábida is a Franciscan monastery located south of Palos de la Frontera, around 8 miles (13 kilometers) from Huelva. Its irregular layout centers around a cloister and combines Gothic pointed arches with Mudejar mud-brick walls.
The monastery was founded in the 15th century and provided refuge to Columbus in 1490 after the Catholic Monarchs first turned down his plans. Prior Juan Pérez, confessor to Queen Isabella, spoke on his behalf and helped secure royal approval.
The whitewash on the walls and the red brick in the arches follow a medieval pattern still common in Andalusian spaces. Bell calls continue to mark prayer times, reminding visitors that monks still inhabit and work within these grounds.
The complex opens Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM and offers guided tours or audio guides in several languages. Comfortable shoes are helpful since some rooms span multiple levels and the floor can be uneven in places.
In the sacristy hang old navigation charts and reproductions of documents recalling the final discussions before the three caravels departed. These charts show how people pictured the world in the late 1400s and reveal how vague the intended destination really was.
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