The Santa María de La Rábida campus has its historical roots in the Hispano-American University of La Rábida, founded in 1943, which was created as an international scientific forum with the primary objective of conducting studies and research on Latin American topics. In 1978, the Hispano-American University was transferred to the University of Seville, becoming directly dependent on its Rector’s Office. It remained in this situation until its integration as a permanent headquarters of the International University of Andalusia (UNIA).
The La Rábida campus is located in a very special setting and, throughout its history, its classrooms have been attended by leading figures from the worlds of science, literature, the arts, politics, etc. These include Daniel Vázquez Díaz, Mario Benedetti, Juan Velarde, José Saramago and Esperanza Brito, among others on a list that is too long to reproduce here in its entirety.
In 1997, UNIA formalised the constitution of the La Rábida Group of Ibero-American Universities as a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the integration and development of Ibero-American peoples and to broadening the bases of academic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation between those universities. In this context, presiding over and bringing together more than 80 universities on the other side of the Atlantic, links of solidarity and support for the improvement of the Ibero-American university structure have been nurtured. At the same time, this headquarters has become a preferred destination for students from the other side of the Atlantic who seek to improve their academic qualifications, preferably at postgraduate level.
For all these reasons, the Santa María de La Rábida headquarters is the heir to a legacy that has left a deep mark: what has come to be known as ‘The Spirit of La Rábida’. A spirit that shapes its unique soul, imbued, among other things, with the values of excellence, creative encounter and solidarity.
The Queen’s Pier, located next to the Tinto River in Palos de la Frontera, is a commemorative structure built in 1992 to mark the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America.
It was designed as a space that evokes the spirit of that voyage and commemorates the historical significance of Palos in relations between Europe and America. The choice of the name ‘de la Reina’ (of the Queen) pays tribute to the key support that Isabella I of Castile gave to Columbus’s enterprise.
Although it was not part of the original port and did not exist in Columbus’s time, the Queen’s Pier has been integrated into the current Route of Discovery, a tourist and cultural initiative that visits different places which, through memory and symbolism, keep alive the legacy of the encounter between two worlds. Its simple architecture and natural surroundings make this enclave an ideal place for reflection, walking and contemplating the river landscape surrounding Palos de la Frontera.
In short, the Queen’s Pier is a symbolic and contemporary space that complements the tour of the Columbian Sites, but does not belong to the group of historical sites directly linked to the voyage of 1492.
The small and evocative Calzadilla pier has stood over the River Tinto since its construction in 1892 to mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. Its current structure, made of reinforced concrete with pillars reaching a depth of 20 metres, supports a 111-metre-long wooden walkway with two side staircases and a jetty measuring approximately 10.5 × 8.5 metres, which facilitates connection with small boats.
This pier witnessed a historic milestone in modern times: on 22 January 1926, the Plus Ultra seaplane expedition, captained by Ramón Franco, departed from here bound for Buenos Aires, completing the first air crossing between Spain and America. On their return on 5 April of the same year, the crew was received by King Alfonso XIII.
Although it originally served as a port for passenger and freight transport until the mid-20th century, today it is a historic viewpoint over the waters of the Tinto. Its recent refurbishment, completed around 2020, has given the site a prominent role in the Discovery Route, integrating it with other heritage sites such as the Historic Port, the Queen’s Quay and the Three Caravels Quay.
Visiting La Calzadilla allows travellers to contemplate a space where tradition, engineering and memory converge. It is an ideal place for peaceful walks, historical photography by the water, or simply to imagine the feats of yesteryear in a setting steeped in symbolism.
The Plus Ultra Monument stands in La Rábida as a tribute to the historic flight of the Plus Ultra seaplane, which departed from the Calzadilla Pier on 22 January 1926 and arrived in Buenos Aires on 10 February of the same year, marking the first transoceanic flight between Europe and America.
The sculpture, inspired by the Greek myth of Icarus, depicts a winged human figure standing on a tall obelisk-shaped pedestal. It was created by Argentine sculptor Agustín Riganelli and donated by the Argentine people to Spain in 1929 as a symbol of brotherhood between the two nations.
Located in the gardens surrounding the Monastery of La Rábida, the Monument to Christopher Columbus is one of the most representative works of the historical and symbolic legacy of Palos de la Frontera. This sculpture, created by Seville artist Alberto Germán Franco to mark the 500th anniversary of the admiral’s death, was commissioned by the Palos de la Frontera Town Council and the Real Sociedad Colombina Onubense as a tribute to Columbus’ crucial role in the meeting of two worlds.
The monument blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings of La Rábida, among cypress trees and paths that invite contemplation and reflection. The figure of Columbus is presented in a serene and determined attitude, with an expression that conveys the determination and historical significance of his undertaking. The choice of location is no coincidence: very close to this spot, the navigator found spiritual and logistical support to prepare for his journey into the unknown, and it was precisely from the nearby port of Palos that the expedition set sail in August 1492.
More than just a sculptural tribute, this work invites reflection on the events that marked the beginning of the Modern Age. For those who visit the Columbian sites, a visit to the monument is an emotional and symbolic experience, as it allows them to connect directly with one of the most significant episodes in world history. The serenity of the surroundings, together with the expressive power of the sculpture, make this space an essential place to understand the profound significance of Columbus’s voyage and the unique role played by Palos de la Frontera in that feat.
Ideal for those seeking to enrich their visit with history, art and landscape, the monument to Christopher Columbus is a must-see stop on the Discovery Route. Since its inauguration, it has become an emblem of the municipality and a landmark for commemorating the Columbian heritage that defines the cultural identity of this land.
The Monastery of Santa María de La Rábida is a Franciscan convent founded in 1261, although the papal bull documenting it dates from 1412. This monastery has witnessed key moments in human history. Its Gothic-Mudejar architecture and strategic location on a small hill next to the mouth of the River Tinto, where it joins the River Odiel, make it a place of great historical and cultural value.
Over the centuries, the monastery has been a meeting point for historical figures such as Christopher Columbus, who stayed here in 1485 to present his project to travel to the Indies. Franciscan friars, such as Fray Juan Pérez and Fray Antonio de Marchena, played a crucial role in the preparation of this expedition. In addition, Martín Alonso Pinzón, co-discoverer of America, is buried in this monastery. Other historical figures such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro also stayed here after their expeditions.
The monastery was declared a National Monument in 1856 and forms part of the historical and artistic complex known as the Lugares Colombinos, which includes other emblematic sites related to the discovery of America. In 1992, Pope John Paul II visited the monastery on the occasion of the pontifical coronation of the image of the Virgin of Miracles, patron saint of the monastery and of Palos de la Frontera.
The José Celestino Mutis Botanical Park, inaugurated on 15 March 1993, is a 12-hectare botanical garden dedicated to the famous botanist José Celestino Mutis from Cadiz, who led the Royal Botanical Expedition to the New Kingdom of Granada (now Colombia) for more than three decades. It was conceived as a tribute to the historical and scientific ties between Spain and America, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America.
The park’s design features undulating terrain, with paths leading to various themed squares and ponds that are home to a rich variety of flora from the five continents. Of particular note are the collections of plants from the Iberian Peninsula and South America, which reflect the historical and scientific connection between the two continents. In addition, the park has a 500 m² greenhouse that houses an exotic tropical forest and a collection of cacti, offering an immersive experience in global botanical diversity.
This natural space is not only a place for recreation and learning, but also a living testimony to the scientific and cultural legacy shared between Spain and America. Its strategic location, close to the Monastery of La Rábida and the Muelle de las Carabelas (Wharf of the Caravels) and between two protected natural areas, makes it an essential stop for those who wish to delve into the history of the Discovery and appreciate the natural wealth that unites both worlds.
The Monument to the Discoverers, also known as the Column of the Fourth Centenary, is a commemorative sculpture erected in 1892 to celebrate the fourth centenary of the discovery of America. Located in La Rábida, this monument pays tribute to Christopher Columbus and the sailors and navigators who participated in the Columbian expedition.
Designed by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, the monument features a neoclassical column rising from a hexagonal pedestal. At its summit is a sphere symbolising the known world at the time of Columbus. The base of the monument is adorned with reliefs depicting scenes from Columbus’ voyage and the indigenous peoples of the American continent.
Over the years, the monument has undergone several restorations to preserve its integrity. Between 1963 and 1967, a restoration was carried out that altered some of its original elements. In the 2010s, consolidation work was carried out and lost elements, such as the sphere at the top of the column, were recovered.
The Wharf of the Caravels is one of the most emblematic sites on the Route of Columbus’ Landmarks and a landmark in the province of Huelva in terms of historical and cultural dissemination. Opened in 1994 to mark the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, it is located in La Rábida, very close to the place from which the three caravels set sail in 1492.
This site features a faithful recreation of the ships that made the ocean voyage that changed the course of history: the Santa María, the Pinta and the Niña. Built in the shipyards of Isla Cristina and Punta Umbría between 1990 and 1992, these replicas allow visitors to climb aboard and learn about the sailing conditions of the time, as well as the organisation and resources of the expedition.
The museum complex surrounding the pier includes an interpretation centre, a recreation of a medieval Castilian port, a 15th-century port town and a space called ‘Isla del Encuentro’ (Island of Encounter), which evokes the first contact between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of America. All this makes the Muelle de las Carabelas an immersive and educational experience that highlights not only the historical events of Columbus’ first voyage, but also the cultural and human consequences that resulted from that encounter between worlds.
Due to its historical accuracy, accessibility and visual appeal, the Muelle de las Carabelas has established itself as one of the most visited places in western Andalusia and an essential stop for those who wish to understand the significance of the 1492 voyage.
