The statue of Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Christopher Columbus in the gardens of the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in Córdoba (Spain).
In the lush gardens of the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in Córdoba (Spain) stands a striking statue of Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Christopher Columbus. This monument commemorates Columbus’ efforts to gain royal support for his ambitious journey westward—an idea that would eventually lead to the discovery of the New World.
While Columbus did spend time in Córdoba seeking an audience, history records that his first official meeting with the monarchs took place in Alcalá de Henares (near Madrid) in 1486. There, his proposal was met with skepticism and referred to a royal commission. Years later, in 1491, at the military camp of Santa Fe near Granada, the tide turned. With the Reconquista nearly complete, Isabella and Ferdinand finally agreed to fund Columbus’ voyage, sealing the deal with the Capitulations of Santa Fe in April 1492.
Though Córdoba was not the decisive location, the statue here symbolizes the broader context of Spain’s age of exploration and the pivotal role of the Catholic Monarchs. Today, it remains a powerful reminder of the momentous decisions that shaped world history.
