Christopher Columbus in Iceland: Rumors of Land to the West and His Unusual Expedition

During his presumed stay in Iceland in 1477, Christopher Columbus reportedly heard various rumors and tales about lands to the west of Europe. These whispers of uncharted territory were likely inspired by earlier Norse explorations that had reached parts of North America, including Greenland and possibly Newfoundland. These rumors played a significant role in shaping Columbus's ambitions, suggesting the possibility of new trade routes and territories, which ultimately led to his historic voyages across the Atlantic beginning in 1492.

Local Folklore and Columbus's Stay in Iceland

Local folklore in the town of Ingjaldsholl, Iceland, claims that in the summer of 1477, a foreign ship arrived at the nearby harbor of Rif. On this ship was Christopher Columbus, who had come to study the sagas of the Norse seafarers who had explored Greenland and North America. He spent the winter there, likely studying accounts of the voyages of Saint Brendan and other Irish seafarers to determine what lay between him and Asia.

Columbus's Accounts and Discoveries

Christopher Columbus's son, Ferdinand, wrote a biography of his father where he documented his father's own words. In one passage, Columbus stated that 'In 1477 in the month of February I sailed more than a hundred leagues beyond Thule, the southern part of which is seventy-three degrees distance from the Equator and not sixty-three as some pretend neither is it situated within the line which includes the west of Ptolemy but is much more westerly.'

Thule, the farthest north and west land known to ancient Greek and Roman cartography, was speculated to be in various locations, such as Iceland, Greenland, or Norway. By the late Middle Ages, it was most commonly recognized as Iceland or Greenland. Columbus's description suggests he visited a place that was farther west and north than what was known to contemporary Europeans or ancient scholars.

The Artic Reality

A deeper analysis of Columbus's account reveals a challenging geographical puzzle. He claimed to have visited an island as large as England, where the tide was 26 braccia high, and where arctic sea ice had not yet formed in February. The description points to a place further north than Iceland, likely in the Canadian Arctic. This excludes Iceland and the Orkney Islands, but it aligns with the possibility of Baffin Island or even Ellesmere Island.

Columbus's statements about the tide suggest a place with tides as high as 50 feet. The highest tides in the world are found in the Bay of Fundy, which matches the description. Moreover, the ice-free conditions in February imply that he may have been in Baffin Bay, an expanse of ocean that freezes over but not every year, especially 150 years before the Little Ice Age's full extent.

A Pioneering Northwest Passage Attempt

If Columbus did indeed arrive at Baffin Bay in 1477, it could indicate that he was testing the idea of reaching Asia through the Northwest Passage. His failed attempt due to heavy sea ice likely led him to abandon this strategy and pursue the direct westerly route, eventually leading to his discovery of America in 1492. It is conceivable that he discovered parts of North America in 1477 without realizing it, eventually leading to the discovery of South America in 1497.

The unexpected journey of Columbus in Iceland in 1477 adds a layer of mystery to his exploration and provides an intriguing glimpse into early European knowledge of the New World. Whether he truly discovered America fifteen years before his famous voyage, his experiences can still inspire us with his untamed spirit and boundless curiosity.