|
Guided Tours* |
- Guided tours are included with general admission prices and are open to the public. Tours start every hour on the half hour, beginning at 10:30 am, Tuesday - Saturday and at 12:30 pm on Sunday.
-
- Tour Schedule:
- Tuesday- Saturday: 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00pm, and 4:00 pm.
- Sunday: 12:15pm, 1:30pm, 2:45pm, and 4:00pm.
-
- School and group tours require a reservation. For more information
- (Click Here) or call (361) 826-4665.
|
 |
|
History |
 |
The ships are reproductions built by Spain to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' voyages to the New World. They took five years to build and cost $6.5 million. The three ships embarked on a tour of the Mediterranean and Atlantic ports of Europe in 1990 and 1991. After a successful tour of 18 United States ports, they arrived at their permanent home in Corpus Christi in 1993. The Pinta and Santa Maria are located at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. There are no guided tours of the Nina, moored at the Corpus Christi Marina, but can be viewed from the dock. |
|
Construction |
| The same materials used by 15th century shipbuilders were employed in the construction of the ships in order to reproduce as accurately as possible the fleet of Christopher Columbus. The pine and oak are from the same forests of Galicia and the Pyrenees, the nails are forged by hand, the caulking is hemp, and the sails are made of linen, the closest natural fiber to the hemp canvas used in the 1400s. |
 |
|
Columbus Days |
 |
During the first two weeks in October, the Museum holds its annual "Columbus Days." School groups and visitors are greeted aboard the Pinta by costumed tour guides who portray actual Columbus crew members.
Reservations are required for groups. (Click Here) to make a school or group reservation. |
*The Columbus ships are not wheelchair accessible. A reduced price to the Museum is available for those who are in wheelchairs or who have mobility restrictions that will not permit them to access the ships.
