On Friday, May 26, the “Pinta”, a Replica of a Portuguese Caravel used by Christopher Columbus and many early explorers will open as a “floating museum” in Madison for dockside educational tours. The ship will be docked at Madison Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, on Vaughn Dr, in Madison, until her departure on May 30.

In 2005, the “Pinta” was Launched in Brazil after three years of construction. The ship was built by eighth Generation Portuguese Shipwrights using the same methods and hand tools that were used to build the original in the 15th century. The “Pinta” was the first ship to sight land on the famous voyage of discovery on October 12, 1492.