La Isabela

About

Founded by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage, La Isabela was Spain’s first attempt at settling the New World. The 17 ships he led, laden with livestock, supplies, goods to trade with the local Taino Indians, and 1,500 intrepid colonists landed in 1493. But storms, crop failures, and disease quickly took their toll on the settlers, and within 5 years Columbus had abandoned it for a new settlement - Santo Domingo. Today, the ruins of La Isabela are an archaeological park that offer insights into Europe’s very first attempt to settle the Americas. Along with the foundations of the settlement, including the New World’s first church and Columbus’ first home, there’s a museum detailing the settlement’s history, relations with the native Taino, and exhibiting artifacts unearthed during excavations.