The replicas of the ships that carried Christopher Columbus and his crew to the Americas are a focal point of an exhibit that chronicles the worldwide changes wrought by the expedition.
The new Santa Maria Plaza at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History is home to the dry-docked Pinta and the Santa Maria replicas, which were moved from their former mooring at Cargo Dock One at the Port of Corpus Christi. The ships, damaged when struck by a barge last year, will undergo repair in the manner of the 15th century shipwrights.
The third and
smallest ship, the Nina, is undamaged and will be moored at the end of
Lawrence Street until a planned marina near the plaza is built.
Visitors may view the Pinta and Santa Maria from a new elevated walkway, and for the first time will be allowed below the decks of the Santa Maria.
The ships' story is closely linked to another new museum attraction: the "Seeds of Change" exhibit donated by the Smithsonian Institution.
This exhibit traces the mutual impact of the American and European cultures when they came into contact after European exploration.
Coming attractions at the museum include completion of the shipyard on the plaza, a restaurant, an exhibit hall and the Nina marina.
The plaza and the museum are now included in a single admission price. Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $8 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and military with ID, $4 for children ages 5 to 12 and $7 for youths ages 13 to 17.
For more information, call (512) 883-2862.
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