Are remains of Christopher Columbus in Dominican Republic?

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Every year thousands of tourists head to the Dominican Republic. They come to sun themselves on its beaches, but also to follow in the steps of Christopher Columbus and gather in the mausoleum that houses his remains.

The music of the Caribbean, blending the rhythms and instruments of African slaves, and their Spanish conquerors, the Dominican Republic was changed forever by the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. Nowadays the man who is widely believed to have discovered America brings an invasion of tourists to the country, which shares the Isle of Hispaniola with Haiti.

Pedro Antonio Rosario, musician, said, "They see him here, they come and they feel his physical presence here."

In the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo, tourists brave the tropical heat for a look at the house that was home to Columbus, the place where his son governed. And most important, where his remains lie buried, according to the Dominican authorities. But others claim they’re actually in Seville in Spain.

Yubelkis Pacheco, tourist guide, said, "In theory Columbus’s remains were in Seville, but we discovered them in 1877, in the cathedral of Santo Domingo, during some repairs, the remains of Columbus were inside the principal altar."

Finding an urn with Christopher Columbus on the front was enough to convince Dominican Historians that the bones found here belonged to the explorer. But Spanish scientists say DNA tests prove the real remains are indeed in Seville’s cathedral. Perhaps they’re both right, and the skeleton was divided into two. Tourists prefer to let their imagination decide.

Amelia Guardo, Colombian tourist, said, "I always follow what my spirit tells me, I don’t pay too much attention to the controversy."

Whatever the answer, Columbus remains a divisive figure, either as the man who led the Spanish in bringing civilization to America, or as the merciless conqueror who wiped out the Dominican Republic’s indigenous population.

In the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo, tourists brave the tropical heat for a look at the house that was home to Columbus, the place where his son governed. And most important, where his remains lie buried, according to the Dominican authorities.

Christopher Columbus' tomb in Seville Cathedral

In the colonial quarter of Santo Domingo, tourists brave the tropical heat for a look at the house that was home to Columbus, the place where his son governed. And most important, where his remains lie buried, according to the Dominican authorities.

Guarding the Remains of Christopher Columbus - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic