The Tomb of Christopher Columbus, housed in the Seville Cathedral, is a testament to the explorer's legacy. In 1506, Columbus died in Valladolid. His funeral was held at the Santa María La Antigua in Valladolid, and his body was deposited in the Convent of San Francisco in the city. His remains were later transferred to the Monastery of Santa Maria de las Cuevas, more commonly known as the Cartuja de Sevilla, on April 11, 1509.
Columbus's remains stayed in Santo Domingo until 1795, when they were moved to Havana. While some historical accounts suggest a transfer to Santo Domingo in 1536, the exact date of this move is not known. Records show Royal Charters from 1537, 1539, and 1540 ordering the burial of Columbus and his son Diego in the Santo Domingo cathedral, which was not completed until 1540.
In October 2024, researchers from the University of Granada claimed they confirmed the bones in the Seville Cathedral belong to Columbus, affirming a study from 2003-2005. The DNA analysis involved comparison with the remains of Columbus's son Fernando and his brother Diego, and the results have purportedly solidified the connection between these family members. Researchers have noted the possibility that some of his bones might also be in the Dominican Republic.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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