Colomares Castle is not a monument with hundreds of years of history. It was constructed just a few years ago, although its eclectic, overwrought style borrows architectural elements from centuries past. It was in 1987 that the Catalan doctor Esteban Martín Martín, a history obsessive, decided to build Colomares Castle in an entirely improvised style, and with just the assistance of two stonemasons who lent their skills for seven years, using nothing but brick, stone and cement. His aim was to tell the story of the Discovery of America in the building’s stone. His knowledge of art, history and architecture allowed him to shape the building as he wished, and he made the building a great tourist attraction, thanks to his remarkable way of telling the story of the Discovery of America.
- The history and construction of Colomares Castle
- What you can see on your visit
- Information for visitors, and how to get there
- The smallest church in the world
The history and construction of Colomares Castle
Opened in 1994, Colomares Castle was a dream come true for Dr Martín, as he was finally able to show the Discovery of America in stone. After 30 years of practising medicine as a gynaecologist and surgeon in the United States, Dr Martín returned to Spain and wanted to commemorate, in his own way, the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage to America. Thus, on the building’s façade we can now see replicas of the vessels that accompanied Columbus and the arch of the Monasterio de La Rábida, in Huelva, where the explorer stayed.
In the different areas of this cluttered Castle, he recreates Columbus’s dream, the plan which he presented to the Catholic Monarchs of sailing westwards to reach India. The castle stones tell how he had previously approached other nations, only to be turned away.
What you can see on your visit
The exterior façade of Colomares Castle is full of references to the history of the Discovery of America. Thus, Martín Alonso Pinzón, who succeeded in recruiting sailors to accompany the Admiral, is represented by a bronze horse’s head, as if he were Pegasus, or a mythical horse. Visitors can also see the bronze coats of arms of the Crown of Castile and its Queen Isabella, who supported and believed in Columbus. These is also a small oratory bearing the image of Our Lord Saviour in memory of the island of San Salvador, or “The Island of Iguanas”. Also depicted are the three ships used by Columbus on his voyage: the Niña at the top of the edifice, the Pinta, on the main façade, and the Santa María, isolated because it had been shipwrecked one Christmas Day. As Columbus died after making four voyages to America, the Castillo Monumento Colomares depicts a mausoleum with a Gothic rose window.
Information for visitors, and how to get there
Colomares Castle is open to the public, at the Finca La Carraca, on the Costa del Sol road, Tuesday – Sunday from 10.00 a.m. until 2.00 p.m., and from 5.00 p.m. until 9.00 p.m. during the summer. In autumn and winter, it closes two hours earlier, at 7.00 p.m. In spring, it is open from 10.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m.
Admission to Colomares Castle costs €3, with a reduced price of €2 for children and pensioners. Groups of 25 or more can also claim a reduced admission price.
For groups, subject to prior booking, Colomares castle offers tailored talks and tours around the complex in different languages. In addition, it offers organised activities, such as conferences, book launches, medieval markets, performances of plays, concerts and other cultural events.
Where is Colomares Castle? It is 24 kilometres from the city of Málaga and 9 kilometres from the coastal resort of Benalmádena. From Benalmádena, you need to take the N-340 towards Torrequebrada, and when you reach the Mirador de Columpio viewing point, you take the Costa del Sol Road to the Castillo Monumento Colomares.
There are several bus services from Arroyo de la Miel that stop close to the castle. The most convenient is the M-103.
The smallest church in the world
At the Castillo Monumento de Colomares, you will find the smallest Catholic church in the world, in which there is barely room for the priest. It has a surface area of 1.96 square metres, and an irregular floor plan; it is dedicated to Santa Isabel de Hungría, who is the patron saint of the Teutonic Order of Knights and of disadvantaged people. What is even more strange is that more than one wedding has been held in this tiny church. And it is said that the bride and groom had to follow the ceremony from outside. The church was consecrated by the prior of the Monastery of La Rábida, and it appears that inside there was everything required for it to carry out its functions. The church is so small that it has an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.
