Historical researchers sometimes amaze us with information that contradicts popular beliefs . Now we know that Nero did not play the harp in his palace while Roma was burning because he was miles away or that there is no record of Newton's apple hitting his head in his fall. Regarding the figure of Christopher Columbus we know that he was not the first to reach the American coasts from Europe since at least one group of Vikings arrived in Canada around the year 1000. What we did not know is that something we learned from running in the school as are the names of the three Caravels in which Columbus traveled to America They were not exact. Discover the story behind the names of La Pinta, La Niña and La Santa María .
The names of La Pinta, La Niña and La Santa María
Cristóbal Colón departed from Puerto de Palos ( Huelva ) on August 3, 1492 and according to what the expedition taught us they composed it three caravels called La Pinta, La Niña and La Santa María . But were those the real names of the ships?
The girl
The girl It was built in the shipyards of Puerto de Moguer in 1488 at the request of the shipowner Juan Niño. When they launched it in the Rio Tinto, it was not named "La Niña", but following the Castilian custom of throwing away the ships with the names of saints or religious themes to implore their protection, it was called "Santa Clara" . In Moguer there was a monastery dedicated to Santa Clara and for that reason it received the name of the saint. However, as its owner was Juan Niño , the sailors began to call it "La Niña" and that's how it has gone down in history.
The Pinta
Although it is believed that it was built in Palos, there is no historical certainty about this fact. What is certain is that her real name was not "La Pinta" , but received the name of a religious figure when it was thrown away as its companions. The name "La Pinta" was thought of as a principle that could be related to the name of the family to which it was supposed to belong: the Pinto , but later it was found that he was never from that family and that its owner was Cristóbal Quintero. The name could refer to that the ship was painted in bright colors and for that reason he received the nickname of "La pintá" from which he derived "La Pinta".
Santa Maria
The case of the Santa María is different from that of her traveling companions. The nao capitana, which never returned to Spain, It was known by the crew as "La Gallega" and yet it has come to us with its launching name "Santa Maria" , although it was popularly called by its nickname. Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo, who was named chronicler of the Indies by Carlos V, tells us in his writings that Columbus led:
"Three caravels: the one of the most called las Gallega; and the other two were from that town of Palos "
Historians believe that it was called La Gallega because It had been built in Galicia.
This is the story of the names of the three caravels that traveled with Columbus: La Pinta, La Niña and La Santa María . Do you know any interesting facts about them? Share it with us!
Images: ArthurFerna , Claudio Vosti , Miguel Ángel "photographer"