Colomares Monument Castle Photo Tour

If you are looking for something interesting and unusual to do when your cruise ship stops in Malaga. Colomares Monument Castle is a must visit. It is a singular masterpiece that tells the story of the Discovery of America through stone. You will find the stunning gem tucked away about 30 minutes from Malaga in Benalmádena. The Castle Monument of Colomares is a fantasy made in stone and every time I visit I find something new!

Colomares Monument Castle: The Ultimate Guide & Photo Tour Through History

Castle view of Colomares — Castle Colomares view. Photo Credit: Donna Vallance

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This majestic castle style building and chapel was built as a tribute to Christopher Columbus and his historic voyages with lots of hidden tributes all over its facade. This is everything you need to know about visiting Colomares Castle Monument.

This enchanting castle is a must-visit in Malaga, especially as it also boasts the smallest church in the world. If you’re wondering if it’s worth visiting and how to reach Colomares Monument Castle, this travel guide will make it easy for you to discover all it has to offer.

Plan Your Trip

About Colomares Castle in Benalmádena?

Castle ColomareS stunning side view in Malaga — Castle Colomares, Photo Credit: Donna Vallance

Colomares Castle in Benalmádena is a stunning monument blending Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, and Mudejar styles. Built in memory of key figures in the discovery of America, including Queen Isabella, Christopher Columbus, and the Pinzón brothers. It was created by Dr. Esteban Martín Martín between 1987 and 1994, this unique structure, crafted from brick, stone, and cement, stands as a “unicum”, a one-of-a-kind tribute that tells the epic story of Columbus’ journey to the New World.

Who Created the Colomares Castle in Benalmádena

Stunning arch view of Arch Castle Monument of Colomares. in Malaga — Arch view Castle Monument of Colomares. Photo Credit: Donna Vallance

In 1987, Dr. Esteban Martín Martín embarked on this unique project in an improvised manner. With the assistance of just two masons, he crafted Colomares over the course of seven years through artisanal techniques, using brick, stone, and cement. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of art, history, and architecture, Dr. Martín shaped this monument with complete freedom, transforming it into a “unicum” for its stony narration of the Discovery of America.

History and The Legend of Christopher Columbus

Window view of Castle Monument of Colomares. — Window Castle Monument of Colomares. Photo Credit: Donna Vallance Like Love Do

This monumental castle tells the story of the great feat of discovering a new world, mistakenly called America. It was Columbus, driven by his immense faith, who presented his plan to sail westward to the Indies to the Catholic Monarchs. That was his dream. This is the story told by Dr. Esteban Martín Martín, the creator of Colomares Castle, who passed away on February 8, 2001.

Columbus was a remarkable navigator, well-versed in geography, astronomy, the Holy Scriptures, mathematics, and the humanities. He wrote fluently in classical Latin and elegant Spanish, but never in Italian or Portuguese. Seven years before his historic discovery, Columbus presented his plan to various other states, but only the Catholic Monarchs supported it.

Columbus and his Voyages

Castle Monument of Colomares in Benalmádena. Photo Credit: Donna Vallance

Columbus and his 96 crew members, mostly Andalusians, set sail from Palos on August 3, 1492. After a brief stop in the Canary Islands for supplies and ship repairs, they ventured into the unknown, arriving at a small islet 33 days later on October 12, 1492, the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar. Columbus named the island San Salvador, though the native inhabitants called it the “Island of the Iguanas.” In tribute to this historic event, Colomares Castle houses a small oratory. It also has an image of Christ the Savior, accompanied by a sailor’s bell in memory of San Salvador.

The 3 Ships of Christopher Columbus

Castle Monument of Colomares Ship. Photo Credit: Donna Vallance

The three ships Columbus used for his voyage, the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María, are represented in the architecture. The Niña is perched at the top of the structure, beneath the Arch of La Rábida, a reference to the monastery that sheltered Columbus when he arrived from Portugal. The Pinta, the ship of the Pinzón brothers, is featured on the main façade, supported by a bronze Pegasus. The Santa María stands apart, as it sank on Christmas Day off the coast of Santo Domingo. The 39 crew members who remained on the island never returned to Spain, perishing at the hands of the indigenous people.

Columbus made four voyages in total. In Colomares Castle, a mausoleum with a beautiful Gothic rose window symbolizes his fifth and final journey—to eternity. His remains, like his birthplace, remain shrouded in mystery.

The Building of Colomares Castle

Ornate Castle Colomares. Photo Credit: Donna Vallance

In 1987, Dr. Esteban Martín Martín began this monumental project, and with the help of two bricklayers. Colomares was crafted over seven years using brick, stone, and cement. Thanks to his deep understanding of art, history, and architecture, Dr. Martín shaped this creation into a “unicum,” a singular masterpiece that tells the story of the Discovery of America through stone.

The architectural styles of Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, and Mudejar come together in this unique monument, created in memory of key figures such as Isabel of Castile, Christopher Columbus, Martín and Vicente A. Pinzón, the Niño brothers, Luis de Santángel, Juan de la Cosa, Rodrigo de Triana, Juan Pérez, Diego de Arana, and others.