christopher columbus

A woman was left laughing at herself after visiting a Spanish castle for just €3 (£2.61) – only to discover the surprising reason behind the tourist attraction’s low entrance fee

While some holidaymakers are content spending a week basking in the sunshine, others would rather immerse themselves in a destination’s history and culture. However, one woman found herself chuckling at her own expense after mistaking a well-known Spanish landmark for an “ancient castle” – only to find out it’s considerably more modern than it appears.

Content creator Alisatata, known as @iam_alisatata on social media, revealed how she paid just €3 (approximately £2.69) to visit Castillo de Colomares following her move to Spain. She was instantly struck by the elaborate design of the structure, located in the coastal town of Benalmádena – but her wonder soon turned to astonishment when she uncovered the reality behind it.

Despite its impressive, historic look, the building was in fact constructed between 1987 and 1994, meaning it’s nowhere near as ancient as she’d believed.

Posting the moment on TikTok, she said: “Admiring this ancient castle and wondering how the ticket was so cheap… then realising it was actually built in 1994.”

The striking structure isn’t a castle in the conventional sense, but rather a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus and his expeditions.

Covering roughly 1,500 square metres, it’s thought to be the world’s largest monument honouring the explorer – and it even houses what is claimed to be the smallest church on Earth.

Her video rapidly grabbed viewers’ attention, with many highlighting the mix-up.

One person said: “Most ancient castles have no decorations or details; they were built for defence in times of war, not to be beautiful.”

Another added: “That’s still pretty cool,” while a third wrote: “It’s not actually a medieval castle – it’s a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus.”

Despite the confusion, visitors reckon the attraction is still well worth checking out.

Reviewing Castillo de Colomares online, one person described it as an “absolutely beautiful monument” with “amazing carving work,” adding the views alone justify the modest entrance fee.

Another visitor said it provided a “lovely break from the beach,” noting that while the site is fairly compact, there’s loads to absorb as you wander around.

A third reviewer called it an “architectural curiosity” overlooking the Costa del Sol, praising its blend of styles – from Gothic to Mudejar – and its scenic location.

While it might not be the ancient fortress she originally envisaged, it appears the distinctive landmark still made a memorable impact.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A statue of Christopher Columbus has been placed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House, the latest effort by President Trump’s administration to recognize the controversial explorer.

The statue is a replica of one that was tossed into Baltimore’s harbor in 2020 during Trump’s first term at a time of nationwide protests against institutional racism.

Trump endorses a traditional view of Columbus as a leader of the 1492 mission seen as the unofficial beginning of European colonization in the Americas and the development of the modern economic and political order. In recent years, Columbus also has been recognized as a primary example of Western Europe’s conquest of the New World, its resources and its Native people.

“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero, and President Trump will ensure he’s honored as such for generations to come,” the White House posted on X.

“We are delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected,” said John Pica, a Maryland lobbyist and president of the Italian American Organizations United, which owns the statue and agreed to lend it to the federal government for placement at or near the White House.

The statue, made mostly of marble, was created by Will Hemsley, a sculptor based in Centreville on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The original statue was toppled by protesters July 4, 2020, and thrown into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor during the national social justice reckoning in the months after the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It was one of many statues of Columbus that were vandalized around the same time, with protesters saying the Italian explorer was responsible for the genocide and exploitation of Native peoples in the Americas.

In recent years, some people, institutions and government entities have displaced Columbus Day with the recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day. President Biden in 2021 became the first U.S. president to mark Indigenous Peoples Day with a proclamation.

Trump dismisses the shifting views on Columbus as the work of “left-wing arsonists,” bending history and twisting Americans’ collective memory. “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” he declared last April. Echoing his 2024 campaign rhetoric, he complained that “Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much.”

Witte writes for the Associated Press.