Columbus Lighthouse

National monument in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic

• Typical duration: 1h

Access & fees

• the ticket booth operates on a strict cash-only basis. it is highly recommended to bring exact or small change in local dominican pesos. (fee: US$4)

Things to do

• view columbus tomb (location: central chapel)
• view cultural heritage objects (examples: Cuban boat, Colombian jewelry)
• view international exhibitions (scope: Americas, Europe, Asia)

Before you go

• exhibition content may be sparse — US exhibit reduced to 9 photos of Native Americans by 2026
• remains authenticity disputed — DNA testing not permitted by Dominican authorities
• remains dispute unresolved — DNA testing denied by Dominican authorities

Events & seasons

• columbus day crypt display (window: Columbus Day, annual · description: remains displayed behind glass)

Features

• 157 skyward light beams (pattern: cross formation)
• claimed columbus remains (status: disputed)
• columbus tomb on-site (centerpiece: bronze urn with remains)
• construction 1986 to 1992 (resumed under: President Balaguer)
• cost approx. us$70 million (funded by: Latin American states)
• cross symbolizes christianization (symbolism: Christianization of the Americas)
• cross-shaped monument (material: reinforced concrete · dimensions: 680 ft x 195 ft)
• design selected from 455 entries (countries: 48 · competition location: Brazil, 1931)
• designed by j.l. gleave (plans date: 1931 · nationality: Scottish)
• inaugurated 1992 (occasion: Columbus quincentennial)
• light visible from puerto rico
• mausoleum and museum (function: dual-purpose)
• rotating beam visible from space

Good to know

• location: santo domingo este (country: Dominican Republic)
• operating hours: the monument is open tuesday through sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is closed on mondays.

Catalog identifier: AVIA-EM9T-DAAFM

Photos