Description of the attraction
One of the newest sights of Santo Domingo under construction is the Columbus Lighthouse. This imposing structure, more like some kind of bizarre monument or fortress, is located in the east of the city. In fact, if you look at it from above, you can see a large cross.
The lighthouse is named after Columbus, not just to highlight the achievements of the great navigator. In fact, this is a mausoleum where the remains of Christopher Columbus rest on chains in a sarcophagus. The story of finding and placing the ashes of the famous discoverer here is like a detective story. Three states (except the Dominican Republic, Spain and Cuba) publicly declare that Columbus is buried on their territory. It is known for certain that Christopher Columbus was buried in Spain. 31 years after his death, the navigator's coffin was taken to Santo Domingo and placed in the main temple of the city. Further, some guesses begin. They say that in 1795 the remains of Columbus came to Cuba, and a little later - back to Spain. Local historians claim that the ashes of Columbus's son Diego were transported to Cuba, and Christopher's coffin never left the Dominican Republic. It seems that he remained in the crypt of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. As proof of the truth of their version, they present a bone from a sarcophagus, in which a bullet is stuck. As you know, Columbus was wounded while serving in the troops of the crown.
Columbus lighthouse was built from 1986 to 1992. The authorities spent about $ 70 million on the construction of this 33-meter-high structure. At night, the mausoleum is illuminated by 157 floodlights. Pope John Paul II was invited to the grand opening of the lighthouse. Therefore, not far from the entrance to the Lighthouse, in memory of the visit of the Pope, his car was installed (the so-called "papamobile").
There is a small museum in Columbus Lighthouse dedicated to the countries that helped in the construction of this building.
