La Rabida Monastery
La Rabida Monastery
4.5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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4.5
858 reviews
Excellent
419
Very good
314
Average
102
Poor
12
Terrible
11
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Rogier
Vilvoorde, Belgium146 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Beautiful, small monastery, where Columbus approached the abbot to gain access to the court. There are few works of art to see and the building has a rich past, but is otherwise not that special. Objects and audio guide provide good insight into the spirit of the times and circumstances before and during Columbus' voyage. Everything with a pronounced nationalistic undertone and without much critical analysis.
Written 16 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francesc R
Sant Quirze del Valles, Spain227 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
It is really interesting and the place is very beautiful. It is very well maintained and the visit to the Monastery with explanatory headphones takes you back to a distant time. Everything is very well signposted and very well preserved. A mandatory visit if you go to Palos.
Written 17 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce W
Mijas, Spain1,775 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Monasterio de Sta. Maria de La Rábida is a Franciscan Convent which has substantial links with one of the most important events in history, namely the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. It was here at the monastery that Columbus discussed his desires and intentions with, among others, the astronomer friar Antonio de Marchena and friar Juan Perez, who was
the means to gain financial support for Columbus from Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs.
The small Franciscan convent was built over the remains of a previous Moorish ‘Ribat’ or ‘Rabida’ (hence the name), after the reconquest by the Catholic Kings at the end of the 14th century. As a result of the devastation caused by the Lisbon earthquake and tsunami in 1755 the monastery was left derelict and not restored and reopened unit 1856. However, the style of the present architecture dates from the end of the 18th century. There are remains of ‘al fresco’ murals remaining from the 15th century, along with later restorations to the murals. Other murals, that you must see, in one of the rooms on the ground floor, depict the Discovery of America and are painted between 1929-30 by Daniel Vasquez Diaz (born in Nerva, Huelva). They are a good example of the Cubism movement in Spain at that time. All the murals are pretty impressive.
Upstairs around the Caravel Gallery are accurately detailed models of the three ships that undertook this momentous journey. The principal ship, the Santa Maria, and the two caravels, La Pinta and La Niña. These can provide you with a foretaste of the full size replicas that you can see in the Muelle de las Carabelas not far away, should you so desire.
Plenty of cheap or free parking close by. Wheelchair users might find the ground floor a little challenging, albeit with plenty to interest, and there is no lift to the first floor.
Entry is very reasonable at three euros per individual, for which you get the option of an audio unit in the choice of a number of languages, or a printed colour leaflet. My preference is for the more comprehensive audio unit.
Thanks for reading this and if you've found it helpful I'd appreciate a ‘thumbs up’ below.
the means to gain financial support for Columbus from Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs.
The small Franciscan convent was built over the remains of a previous Moorish ‘Ribat’ or ‘Rabida’ (hence the name), after the reconquest by the Catholic Kings at the end of the 14th century. As a result of the devastation caused by the Lisbon earthquake and tsunami in 1755 the monastery was left derelict and not restored and reopened unit 1856. However, the style of the present architecture dates from the end of the 18th century. There are remains of ‘al fresco’ murals remaining from the 15th century, along with later restorations to the murals. Other murals, that you must see, in one of the rooms on the ground floor, depict the Discovery of America and are painted between 1929-30 by Daniel Vasquez Diaz (born in Nerva, Huelva). They are a good example of the Cubism movement in Spain at that time. All the murals are pretty impressive.
Upstairs around the Caravel Gallery are accurately detailed models of the three ships that undertook this momentous journey. The principal ship, the Santa Maria, and the two caravels, La Pinta and La Niña. These can provide you with a foretaste of the full size replicas that you can see in the Muelle de las Carabelas not far away, should you so desire.
Plenty of cheap or free parking close by. Wheelchair users might find the ground floor a little challenging, albeit with plenty to interest, and there is no lift to the first floor.
Entry is very reasonable at three euros per individual, for which you get the option of an audio unit in the choice of a number of languages, or a printed colour leaflet. My preference is for the more comprehensive audio unit.
Thanks for reading this and if you've found it helpful I'd appreciate a ‘thumbs up’ below.
Written 20 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hammad M
San Ramon, CA4 contributions
Dec 2013 • Business
This Monastery was actually a mosque which was later converted into Monastery by the christian kingdom of Spain. Christopher Columbus got the maps from this place of his voyage to the new world (America). very few people know that Columbus was accompanied by his muslim navigators who helped him out to get America.
Written 24 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FredCornwall
Cornwall45 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
This monastery is well worth a visit but take a guided tour to get the full picture. There is a lot to learn about Columbus his captains and his 6 year stay. There are many portraits and paintings and the monastery is a lot bigger than it looks with two floors. It`s not wheelchair friendly but has clean toilets and a gift shop
Written 28 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJHDerbyshire
Derbyshire392 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
For somewhere that has such an important place in history (it is where the deal was made that enabled Columbus to embark on his adventure into the unknown) the first impression is that it is quite small but when you go inside it is a bit like the Tardis, with an exceptionally fine medieval chapel. The exhibits are well laid out and the audio guides clear and informative. The setting is also beautiful, with excellent views towards Huelva, the Columbus monument and the replica ships.
Written 4 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Si Ames
Rochdale, UK139 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
If in Huelva you have to visit the Monastery, for a start it cost 3.00€ to get in and you get a own language listening guide if you want one. My advice is to take it as it gives you an amazing background to Christopher Columbus and his time at this monastery.
It's very easy to find and the surrounding area is nice to walk around too.
If you get time visit the replicas of the three ships Columbus used it will give you a great idea of the conditions the sallies endured.
It's very easy to find and the surrounding area is nice to walk around too.
If you get time visit the replicas of the three ships Columbus used it will give you a great idea of the conditions the sallies endured.
Written 1 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julien K
Liege, Belgium177 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
A museum to the glory of Christopher Columbus and Spanish colonisation. If you knew nothing about the history of America before visiting, you will probably walk out of it unaware people actually lived in America before 1492.
Written 29 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheArthurDent
Birmingham, UK6 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
Well worth visiting to see where Columbus spent a year preparing for his voyage and to get an insight into all his voyages of discovery, Monastery is well preserved and maintained with a lot to see.
Written 28 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
José Luis 77
Toluca, Mexico209 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
Located next to the Carabelas Museum and the perfect complement. Very interesting visit where you can learn lots of stuff about Columbus. Is a beautiful monastery that is mostly a replica since the original was almost totally destroyed by the Lisboan earthquake in 1755. Our guide was a bit grumpy but knew very cool facts that do not come in books.
Written 25 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, perdona he estado fuera y no he consultado mi correo. El precio son 3,50 euros. Ya he visto que te han respondido.
Saludos
Written 24 August 2018
3€ por persona, cerrado los lunes
Written 12 August 2017
Is this good for children 5 and 6?
Written 17 July 2017
I would agree that there is not much for children of that age. We did see local schoolchildren on a trip, but there were aged about 10 upwards.
Written 17 July 2017
Este lugar actualmente funciona como universidad?
Written 6 July 2016
Este lugar actualmente funciona como universidad?
Written 6 July 2016
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