On Friday, October 27th, the ‘Pinta’ and the ‘Niña’, replicas of Columbus’ ships, will open in Little Rock. The ships will be docked at Julius Breckling Riverfront Park, Ottenheimer Plaza in Little Rock, Arkansas until their departure early Wednesday morning November 8th.

Both The Niña and Pinta will be touring together as a new and enhanced ‘sailing museum,’ for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the ‘caravel,’ a Portuguese ship used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world. Before Columbus, the Old World and the New remained separate and distinct continents and ever since their fates have been bound together for better or for worse.

The Niña is a replica of the ship on which Columbus sailed across the Atlantic on his three voyages of discovery to the new world beginning in 1492. Columbus sailed the tiny ship over 25,000 miles. That ship was last heard of in 1501, but the new Niña has a different mission. It is a floating educational ship, and it visits ports all over the Western Hemisphere.

The ‘Niña’ was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools. Archaeology magazine called the ship “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.” In 2005, the ‘Pinta’, also a caravel, was launched in Brazil and was the first ship to sight land in the New World. Historians consider the caravel the space shuttle of the fifteenth century.

While in port, the general public is invited to visit the ships for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour. Admission charges are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for students 5 – 16. Children 4 and under are free. The ships are open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No reservations necessary.

Teachers or organizations wishing to schedule a 30 minute guided tour with a crew member should call 1-(787)-672-2152 or email columfnd1492@gmail.com. Minimum of 15. $5.00 per person. No Maximum. Visit the website at www.ninapinta.org.