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Christopher Colombus Death: A Look at His Last Days and Death

Christopher Columbus, an Italian adventurer, sadly passed away in Valladolid, Spain, on May 20, 1506. Since the Vikings built settlements in Greenland and Newfoundland in the tenth century, Columbus was the first European to explore the Americas. He travelled to the West Indies, South America, and Central America but died dissatisfied, believing that his sponsor, King Ferdinand of Spain, had treated him unfairly.

Even though Columbus made a sizable profit from the gold found on Hispaniola during his final years, he made multiple unsuccessful attempts to meet with King Ferdinand because he believed that he owed him additional compensation. On May 20, 1506, Columbus passed away. Let’s take a look at his last days and death and the impact he had. 

1. Christopher passed away at the age of 54

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On May 20, 1506, at the age of 54, Christopher Columbus passed away in Valladolid, Spain. He had lived a life of curiosity and discovery till his death. Columbus’s history as an adventurous navigator who connected the Old World with the New World is still remembered and studied today, despite enduring financial setbacks and health issues in his later years.

2. He faced a lot of financial challenges in his last years

In his drive for fame, Christopher Columbus struggled financially and overcame difficulties. Columbus had a hard time getting the funding and recognition he needed for his explorations, although his trips were monumental and he discovered the Americas.

He went through a lot of difficulties in his desire for acceptance from the Spanish Crown and other European countries, which affected his goals and financial security. Columbus overcame these obstacles and remained steadfast in his belief that his goal of exploration and discovery might change the world.

3. Christopher Columbus went through a lot of health challenges

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Colombus went through a number of health problems which stopped him from exploring as much as he wanted. For starters, he suffered from Reiter’s syndrome and arthritis. These challenges made life tough for him but all in all, he was determined to continue travelling and discovering the world which eventually left a lasting contribution to human history. 

4. Some people don’t see him as a hero

The history of Christopher Columbus is controversial. Some hold him in high regard for sailing bravely west from Europe at a time when doing so was regarded as a sure way to perish and discover continents that Europe’s oldest civilizations had never even considered. Some view him as a vengeful, cunning individual who introduced sickness, slavery, and exploitation to the unspoiled New World. 

5. He found comfort in religious rituals during his last days 

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Christopher Columbus found comfort and solace in religious practises. When his life was coming to an end he requested that prayers and certain ceremonies be done as he believed that he needed guidance and assistance from the spirit world which was common during his time. We can only imagine that this gave him peace and courage especially if he actually did all these bad things that have been said he did. 

6. Christopher Columbus passed away in the middle of ongoing discussions about his treatment

Christopher Columbus passed away while there were still ongoing discussions and controversies about his treatment. Questions and critiques about the results 

After his death, questions and concerns about the results of his trips and the treatment of indigenous peoples in the countries he visited surfaced. Over time, these debates have only heated up as academics, historians, and activists keep assessing Columbus’s legacy.

7. His corpse really travelled a lot 

Compared to most people, Christopher Columbus travelled more after his death! His and his son Diego’s corpses were brought from Spain to Santo Domingo in 1537 and buried in the church there. Santo Domingo lost importance to the Spanish Empire over time, and as part of a peace pact, Spain ceded all of Hispaniola, including Santo Domingo, to France in 1795.

Columbus’ body was transferred to Havana because it was decided they were too important to end up in French hands. Yet when Spain and the United States went to war in 1898, the remains were returned to Spain so as not to be captured by the Americans. Columbus’ sixth round-trip voyage to the New World appeared to have come to an end at this point.

8. It was Columbus’ wish to be buried in the New World

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Diseases like advanced arthritis, which Columbus was known to have experienced as he aged, are present in the man whose bones are in the box in the Dominican Republic. And then there is the box’s inscription, which nobody believes to be false. Columbus created Santo Domingo because he wanted to be buried in the New World, thus it’s not out of the question that someone in the Dominican Republic misidentified Columbus’ remains in 1795 by passing off some other bones as his.

Each city has built an impressive monument to hold the actual remains of Columbus because they each feel they are the ones who own him. His remains are carried by gigantic sculptures in Spain where they are enshrined in a tomb for all time. In the Dominican Republic, a colossal memorial/lighthouse constructed for that reason is home to his guarded grave.

Without a doubt, Christopher Columbus has left behind a considerable, though controversial, legacy. He was seen by many as the cruel mass-murdering psychopath who took Native Americans’ ancestral lands. Yet for many more, he played a crucial role in the formation of America and the people of the United States owe him a huge debt of gratitude.