October 12 is celebrated as Columbus Day, the anniversary of the discovery of America.
What if Christopher Columbus’s first ever glimpse of the sea was from a serene Mallorca cove? It might sound improbable, but quite a few Mallorcans believe that the theory that the great navigator was an island native deserves consideration. Over the years, local historians and supporters have challenged the traditional narrative that Columbus was born in Genoa. They argue that the man who famously “discovered” the Americas was actually from the town of Felanitx. How did this theory arise, and could there be truth to it?
The established account holds that Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451, grew up around the sea, and persuaded the Spanish crown to fund his journey westward to the Indies, leading to his unintended arrival in the Americas. This narrative has been accepted and taught for centuries. But the Mallorcan claim introduces questions that suggest this story may not tell the whole truth.
One argument for the Mallorcan theory involves Columbus’s language. Scholars note that his letters and journals aren’t written in Italian and lack the grammar of a native Genoese speaker. Instead, they show a grasp of Castilian Spanish with hints of Catalan, a language spoken in Mallorca. This linguistic detail is among the main points raised by Gabriel Verd, a researcher who has spent years promoting the idea that Columbus was born here. Verd points to Columbus’s use of Mallorcan dialect in his letters and his choice to name an island “Margalida” after a distinctly Mallorcan name, arguing that this points to a Mallorcan origin. Verd believes Columbus was the illegitimate son of Carlos, Prince of Viana, and Margalida Colom, linking him to Mallorcan nobility. He hopes ongoing DNA testing may confirm Columbus’s Mallorcan roots.
Speculation even suggests Columbus concealed his background for political reasons—perhaps due to noble connections or other affiliations that required secrecy. Columbus’s diaries also mention Mediterranean locations in detail, especially the Balearic Islands, showing a familiarity with local tides and navigation that suggests firsthand knowledge.
Another facet of the theory connects Columbus to Mallorca’s Jewish community. In the 15th century, Mallorca had a large population of conversos, or Jews forced to convert to Christianity. Some historians suggest Columbus may have had converso origins, which would explain his secrecy about his background. His Mallorcan roots could connect him to this community, adding another layer to his concealed heritage.
Finally, the theory points to the Columbus family name. The surname “Colom” is widespread in Mallorca, and some local historians believe Columbus may have been part of this lineage. “Colom” might have been Latinized to “Columbus” to further obscure his origins.
While the Mallorcan theory is intriguing, it remains circumstantial. Skeptics emphasize that the Genoese origin remains the most widely accepted among scholars, backed by historical records and references to Columbus as “the Genoese” by diplomats and his own son. Despite its lack of definitive proof, the Mallorcan Columbus theory endures, a testament to the island’s rich historical imagination and a fascinating alternative to established history.
Picture: Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus (born about 1446, died 1506). Date: 1519.
