Explorer seeking Fountain of Youth
Category

Sightseeing

Age requirement

All ages

Message from Natasha Ibrahim

Juan Ponce de Leon was an experienced Spanish explorer and nobleman born in 1460. He joined Christopher Columbus' second expedition to the New World in 1493 and later served as a captain in the West Indies. De Leon is credited with being the first European to reach said Florida in 1513, and he named it due to it being discovered at Eastertime (Pascua Florida). Later in his life, he traveled again to Florida but this time being wounded by an arrow during an Indian attack. He passed away shortly after being returned to Cuba in 1521; Puerto Rico’s third largest city, Ponce, honors his legacy to this day. Although most notable for his expeditions, he famously participated in a quest for a miraculous Fountain of Youth, which supposedly gave anyone drinking from it eternal rejuvenation. Despite his passing more than 500 years ago, his legendary explorations will never be forgotten.

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