Avenue Christophe-Colomb

Christopher Columbus was the explorer of the Great Discoveries, who led to the colonization of America. A navigator in the service of the rulers of Spain, Cristoforo Colombo, known as Christopher Columbus, was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451, although there is still some doubt as to his birthplace (some say he was born in Calvi, Corsica). He was the son of a weaver, Domenico Colombo. Refusing this life of craftsman, Christopher Columbus decided very early to become a sailor. The young man studied navigation and science. In 1476, he left on a ship bound for Lisbon and England. Following an attack by the French, Columbus found himself in Lagos, then joined his brother in Portugal. He met Filipa Perestrelo e Moniz, the daughter of one of the colonists of Madeira. He married her in 1479 and had a son with her, Diego. On board his three ships, he unknowingly travelled to the New World. It was he who discovered America in 1492. For everyone, Christopher Columbus is the one who discovered America. In reality, other navigators, such as the Icelandic Leif Eriksson (the son of Erick the Red) had done so several centuries before him. But history has retained the name of the Italian navigator. Christopher Columbus had a dream: to discover a new route to the Indies. Unknowingly failing in this quest, his discovery will be just as important.