The source of eternal youth. In search of immortality

It was January 1513..

Ponce de Leon crossed the threshold of his house.

Favorite wife - Leonora, daughters - Juan, Isabel, Maria and Son Louis, rushed to his father. They were happy. For a long lack of Ponce changed a lot. And life without the head of the family was much harder. The only thing that pleased is the constant conventions of the Dominicans Monks to visit to the family of Juan Ponce de Leon.

They brought good news every time - about taking it by King Ferdinand II and issuing new ships to him. The fact that in Burgas is the capital of Castile and Leon, Ponce to honor and he has issued many letters and posts on the opening of new lands. It all made it possible not to experience a serious confrontation between Diego Columbus and the family de Leon.

Appointing Ponce De Leon Adelantado King Ferdinand II Catholic said historical words, hinting at the discovery of Columbus: "One thing to give authority, when it was not yet a preliminary example, so that someone occupied such a post, but since then we learned something. You (Ponce - approx K.A.) You are when the beginning is already done ... "

And now, in honor of the host's arrival, at home, Ponce de Leon gathered all people close to him - his friend and captain of the ship Juan Bono de Cacho (Juan. Bono. DE. Quejo.) , Royal Treasurer - Miguel de Pasamont (Miguel. DE. Posamonte), Vicar Dominicans - Pedro de Cordova (is he he lived C1460 to 1525 - approx. by k.A.) - Prior of the Dominican Monastery, and the Bishop of the Dominican Order - Alonso Manso, who arrived on September 26, 1512.

Everyone sat and developed plans to organize a campaign to a source of youth to Bimini by the decree of King Ferdinand II.

I do not really understand, and what is our role? - He began during the feast of Bishop Alonso Manso, who recently arrived from Spain.

Well, you, my father's father! - Smiled Pasamonte. - Bishop Fonseca and Pope approved you in this new land, so that you were the center of help for this unusual campaign. "Listen carefully to those who go to your confession and can safely offer them to change their fate if she does not suit them."

Well, let's start with the fact that with us - from the monks of the Dominican Order - the whole story began ... - The prior of the Dominican monastery Pedro de Cordoba was shaken. - And our monk - Brother Ortiz is still at the Biminy Indians. One of our monks will accompany the respected owner of this house - Adelantado Ponce in his search for this amazing place.

Yes, "said Ponce. - I will say more: in the case that we have to, I would like to see the Dominican monks as the first people who found new land. In the meantime, you have already begun to build a solid arrival here - in San Juan-Batista with our help and support.

Thank you, my son! - Father Alonso said with a smile. "We will be able to disseminate the news among all the inhabitants in all settlements of Espanyola and San Juan-Batistist." But how much do you need a person? How many ships will be with you and when you need it?

I'm afraid of people in my team not more than necessary! But I do not want any spies from the Columbus family.

You will have to look at all your team members! - No one will do it better than you.

No one can know a person who can become a baseman for Vice-King Columbus. Question in money. How many will they pay them.

Okay, it's all conversations. We will solve problems as they arrive.

I am glad that it is now beginning to prepare for the opening of the Island of Bimini and glad to take your help in any form. All provisions, I think we can assemble on our own farms. Team we will try to take from Salvaleon district. And there is another very important item. I strongly recommended to take Anton Aloshino. They said that he was swimming north and knows the way there.

In my opinion, he probably visited the Indian hunters there. Apparently, he is now without a case, and it will be very useful for us, "continued Ponce de Leon after a pause.

And how much will it still be ships?

Well, we already have three! As we want to find not only the fountain of youth, but also try it out, it is enough for three. Less - dangerous and unprofitable. More - expensive and inexpedient.

Dear friend! - inserted his word treasurer Pasamont. - And how are you going to understand: where and how really it is that water and that source of youth, which is said. Will you drink yourself and try? Or how? And what do you say to people? Do you go to open new lands or to find a source of youth? And who do you want to get into the team?

We will recruit people of older or old among settlers, but such that could be both sailors and soldiers, and that the hand is not trembling. And on the one hand, they should be strong to not be a burden. And on the other hand, that each of them wanted to find a source so that everyone has eager to try the action of the water of youth.

It will be the most funny trip from all that were if your team will gain from old people! - exclaimed his friend Juan Quejo. - And as the captain of your ship, I will look at the fact that the old sailors are not fluffy.

I think that by gaining old you will call suspicion from the vice king of Diego Columba! - said Dominican Bishop Alonso Manso.

It seems to me that he was conveyed to him at the moment when Ferdinand sent a letter here. I want to find this amazing source of Bimini too. And I will not be surprised if everything we say here will be known to him in the near future. Everything has ears. And the walls too ...

Ears ... - laughed Pasamonte. - Burning ears can be cut off!

And he, and all at the table laughed with this joke.

But if they only knew that at this time, lying in a very uncomfortable posture on the roof of the house, there were one of the people of Vice-king Diego Columbus, they would definitely cut off her ears, and certainly a language!

Therefore, when they said about the ears, the spy felt that he had both ears with red and "caught fire" as if someone had lost them.

Cute, "said Leonor said - Ponce de Leon's wife. - I have a suggestion. Take women with you on board your ship and to the settlement. Yes, and women can exactly see the first changes that may occur if you find a source of youth.

Well ... I do not know ... And if we cannot find these islands. And the women are not good for the first time, you know!

Ponce, cute, what a settlement may be, if there are no women?

Ponce, and your wife is right! - Used the treasurer Pasamonte. - She speaks correctly. Take women, yes not one. Take a few.

It will be a ballast for us. We need soldiers and sailors. Each person will be in the account.

Cute, and I think I can help you. I have a friend - her name is Juan Ruiz - you know her ... It so happened that her beloved man was killed in the cutter, which Agueban's warriors were arranged in the village of Sotomayhor. And she remained alone. She has a slave, purchased and brought by it with a slave market. And she also has a service of three Indian translates facing our faith and two free black women from Africa, also confessing Catholicism (already at that time - 500 years ago, the Spaniards gave freedom to everyone who took the Christian faith! - approx. K.A.). Indian can have both translat on all three ships, and they will help to establish contact if Indians live there too.

Cute Leonor! You always know the easiest way out of difficult situations! - exclaimed the treasurer Pasamonte. - If so go, then I will take you to my advisers.

And all those present laughed.

Coin. Ponce de Leon.

The Spanish King Ferdinand suggested Huan Ponce de Leon to go in search of the rich land of Bimini. For his own account, Ponce prepared three ships and went on the road. He came out of Puerto Rico on March 3, 1513. Bimini did not find it, but on April 3, 1513 stepped on the ground, which was considered the island. Juan Ponce de Leon called her La Florida, in honor of Pascua Florida or the holiday of flowers, which is held at Easter.
This year, Florida celebrate the 500th anniversary of this event. Along the state throughout the year, various events are held in honor of the anniversary. When we went on, went to the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, where a small exhibition was presented dedicated to Huan Ponce de Leon and life on the ship of the 16th century.

At that time, Spanish researchers were called conquistadors or conquerors. In 1493. Ponce de Leon was swimming in America withChristopher during his second journey. With her family, he settled on the islandEspanyola (Dominican Republic)in the Caribbean, where he became a military commander and was appointed deputy governor.In 1506 Ponce de Leon opened neighboring Island, namedBorinken . Being there, he discovered large gold deposits.Shortly after his discovery, he left the island, but Returned back in 1508 by order of the King of Spain to explore and colonize the island.He renamedBorinken in Puerto Rico and he was his governor for two years while the king was replaced by his son Columbus.

Offended by the kingPonce de Leon went north in the direction of Florida on Searches for new lands and treasures.He also heard of the mythical fountain of youth.The Indians talked about the legendary, the magic source whose water was given eternal youth.Ponce de Leon explored many territories, including the Bahamas and Bimini, as in search of gold and in search of a mythical source, but did not find anything.

Later Ships Juan Ponce de Leon they approached the Eastern Coast of Florida near the modern Saint Oghastin.He decided to continue the study of this land and swam down along the coast, where he first stopped at Cape Canaveral (on the map he was already, but the name gave him Poncing de Leon), and then to him the same dray-Tortugas - the island on which he did not find fresh water (Dry - "Dry", Tortuga - in Spanish "Turtle" ).

Continuing his way along the western coast of Florida, Ponce De Leon came across not very friendly Indians of the Kalus tribe.The researcher decided to leave this area and Schalted back to Puerto Rico.

In 1521, Ponce de Leon returned to Florida to buildagriculturalcolon. He arrived here with more than 200 future settlers, horses, tools and seeds.However, Kalus arrangedPonce de Leon An ambush, as a result of which he was seriously injured.The settlers decided to abandon their plan and sailed into Cuba. Ponce de Leon's wound was heavy and he died at the age of 61.

So, let's see the exhibition itself, which is represented as a ship.

On board, we found a captain constituting or learning a map.

From the 15th century a special development of cartography began. Maps were a huge value, and the information they contained was considered a state secret. One of the most famous cartographs of the 16th century was Sebastian Münster (Sebastian Muntster). The development of European cartography was one of the reasons for the dissemination of the strongest influence of Europe.

Items that were used to navigate. While the compass was invented in China for another 3 century. BC, in Europe, it began to be used only in the 12th century AD. Astrolabia was the first subject to which Europeans used to determine latitude and longitude. It was used in the afternoon, and a quadrant was used at night. Time was considered with hourglass. The ringing of the bell indicated a new hour.

On the ship sailors lived in close premises. We slept practically where it was just a place.

Feed sailors during long journeys was not easy. There were no refrigerators at that time, so the whole provisional should have been such that would preserve throughout the navigation. If something could spoil, it was used in the first place. For storage of certain products, such as meat and fish, they were solired, dried and marinated. Sometimes pets held on the ships, which were killed immediately before eating. Sugari and beans were one of the main products that had the Spanish seamen 16th century. They prepared meals once a day right on the open deck, as it was dangerous to breed the fire on a wooden ship. Fresh water took with themselves in barrels. Her drawback was one of the difficulties of life on the ship, after all, ate salty fish and drinking all the time. Because of poor nutrition, the sailors suffered a disadvantage of vitamins, which led to various diseases.

As such doctors on the ships were not. The best, for which patients could count - the departure of comrades and the valley, which he treated, string her hair and could handle the tooth. The Tsier also trained the preparation of ointments for open RAS or rashes, processing dislocation and fractures, bloodletting, which was almost the main way of treating diseases and led to a large number of deaths. There was no anesthesia. If the sailor was wounded in his leg or hand, quickly amputated the limb. Many died from postoperative infection.

Various weapons that could be on the ship.

I made these photos at the festival of archeology, but they are better suited to this record. This tent is a small example of what was the camp of the first Spanish settlers of the new light.

When we just came to the festival, the tent had several reconstructors, but then only one woman remained. Men were in armor. Unfortunately, this valiant group failed to take a picture.



Not how much camp himself, how many individual items were quite interesting.

Beautiful Porokhovnica.

Many items reconstructors make themselves, but the fact that under the glass is possible originals.

Woman shows boxes for spices. Spaniards treated them very carefully.

Small straw.

Barrel for wine and saddle on the chest. I don't even want to represent, it was like that to go.

Well, a bonus of this modern Florida. Everything was held in West Palm Beach (West Ralm Beach). We are there relatively often, but not much to take pictures. This time we decided at least on the embankment to go out and look at the intracostal.

Walked around the pier.

Just here, in the downtown, the annual Sunfest festival is held, so we are here mostly in the evening or among a huge crowd. In the afternoon, everything is perceived differently.

In the middle of the pier planted mangrove trees. This is a new job.





And modern "ships".

City Hall City Hall.

A small church on one of the streets. Next to her Catholic school.



Probably not to find a person who at least once, and most often than once asked himself a question: why can't we live forever? Searches for Elixira eternal youth People were engaged in time immemorial. All Europe in the Middle Ages was looking for a philosopher's stone, which was capable of not only to turn the metals in gold, but also to prove life and return youth.

The most notable mark in search of elixir eternal youth left Juan Ponce de Leon, Spanish Conquistor and Governor of San Juan Island, who lived in the XV-XVI centuries. Then the elixir of youth seemed lively water, the tales of which can be found in the time of antiquity. It is enough to remember Herodotus, who wrote about the Ethiopes who lived in 120 years. When the Persian ambassadors were surprised by their longevity, they took Persians to a source with "live water", a constant bathing in which the life has extended.

Ponce de Leon was looking for eternal youth on the Bahamas. There, on the island of Bimini, according to Indian legends, there was a source of living water, the ablution in which the eternal youth was given.

Of course, living water, which he had to bring to the courtyard of the Spanish king Ferdinand, did not find Ponce de Leon. However, the expedition was not in vain - he opened Florida.

The history of the search for eternal youth on the bugs had a very recent continuation. A few years ago the famous illusionist David Kopperfield Bought for $ 50 million four island in the south of the Bahamas archipelago, in the Ridge of Egzum. In which one of them, he found "living" water, which, according to him, in the literal sense of the word revitalizes the dried leaves and plants and almost dead insects, is not reported.

Copperfield invited scientists who had to figure out whether the wonderful effect of water also spreads to people. Obviously, the water was revived only dried leaves, because there were no messages about the construction of the resort for those who wish to rejuvenate.

Reproduction is more important

What prevents humanity to live forever? Many believe that it is preventing immortal to environment. Others sin on food and water. In fact, the reason for ourselves. We do not allow us to live forever our own organism.

The life expectancy of any living organism is determined by the amount of energy allocated to two main processes: vital activity and reproduction (reproduction). If everything or most of her would have leaving their livelihoods, we would live much longer. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), We must grow and engage in the reproduction of offspring.

In any case, we live much longer than our ancestors. Among the cave residents, 30-year-olds were considered long-livers. The average life expectancy in the USA was only 53 years ago. Every fourth child did not live to the fifth birthday, tens of thousands of women died due to complications during childbirth.

Today, life expectancy due to health has increased to 78.1 years. In Japan, the average life expectancy of women is 85.6 years, and in some African countries, where AIDS is rampant, is not higher than 30.

Functional machine

Frenchwoman by name Zhanna Kalman It is considered the oldest resident of the earth among those whose birthdays are definitely known. She lived 122 years and 164 days. Scientists believe that this is the limit for a person.

Why do we all can't live for so long? Here, too, everything is extremely simple. In general, all organisms consist of two types of cells: non-producing and producing. Unproving cells are cells of eyes, skin, muscles, bones, etc. Reproducing cells - cells of sperm and egg cells. Before any living organism is a permanent task - to survive. Radioactivity, chemicals, free radicals, harmful bacteria and viruses 24 hours a day attack our cells. During the day, thousands of cells do not withstand such a lifetime. Such an "environment" adversely affects DNA, which change or mutate. Our body gradually replaces damaged cells with continuous reproduction. This process requires high energy costs. However, the amount of energy is limited, it must be divided between life and reproduction.

In the process of evolution, all living organisms on our planet began to spend b about we have a row of energy to support reproducing cells.

The aging occurs because our body must keep the balance between the reproduction and maintenance of the body in the normal state. There are not enough energy to be lacking on both. B. about the extended part of it goes to reproduction and protection of reproducing cells, and the residue is sent to the support of irrigated cells. As a result, the cells accumulate in the cells, which cause organs of organs.

"The human body represents a car that performs a number of functions," believes Obli de Gray, one of the authoritative specialists in the field of life extension, and, as any normal functioning mechanism, accumulates various damage. Consequently, in principle, damage should be removed periodically. "

In addition to this, strongly damaged cells or those cells that can no longer share suicide (apoptosis).

The body argues something like this: why spend precious energy to repair cells? Our body is a spent material that can be sacrificed. Genes from our reproducing cells will live in our offspring.

Multi-sharing hydra

The main factors affecting the lifespan are genetics and metabolism. The few fewers live up to 100 years and more thanks to special genes that control the aging process. Metabolism in mice is significantly higher than in the turtles. Therefore, the mice live only three years, and the turtles live to 150 years. Therefore, the mouse should begin to reproduce the offspring as early as possible, and the turtles go to this century.

The life expectancy of some organisms can be changed by changing the level of metabolism. Metabolism of mice slows down in a medium where few foods. If there are less people there are, it will very slightly slow down the metabolism and increase life expectancy, because our metabolism and so low. On the one hand, for significant changes, it is necessary to reduce energy consumption by 30-50%, on the other - a decrease in the amount of calories more than 50% will significantly reduce our lives.

There are rare living organisms that live forever. For example, the jellyfish and hydris reproducing cells are all over the body. All energy goes to support and repairing these cells. The hydra can be cut on a hundred pieces, and a new hydra will grow out of each.

Complex and subtle business

Aging is a process of accumulating damage to macromolecules, cells, tissues and organs. This process is very complex. All confused, even terminology, not to mention the processes themselves. For example, rejuvenation is not the same as an increase in life expectancy. The first one can be considered a twist of aging by 180 degrees. It consists in repairing damage caused by aging and replacement of damaged tissues. The second is engaged in the reasons that cause aging and fighting them. Rejuvenation can lead to an increase in life expectancy, but with increasing life expectancy, rejuvenation is rarely used.

Scientists have now revealed at least eight important hormones that slow down aging. These are human growth hormones (HGH), sex hormones: testosterone and estrogen, erythropoietin, insulin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), melatonin, thyroid and pregenenolone. Theoretically, if you replace at least part of these hormones, you can achieve the effect of rejuvenation.

B. about the extended part of the attempts of genetic repair traditionally consists in using retroviruses, with which the new gene is placed in any place in the chromosome.

Old age is the same disease as all other diseases. And diseases are treated.

Distant future

Speaking about the search for the Elixir of Eternal Youth and Immortality Nowadays, it should be remembered that, despite the conversations about numerous high-profile discoveries and breakthroughs (according to the scientists who committed them and journalists), work is at the earliest stage, in its infancy, and that the first Medicines capable of extending the life of a person or purposefully fight old age, hardly appear in this, and even the next decade.

For example, lady Linda PatridgeHeading researchers from London College and the Institute of Biological Aging in Cologne, one of the most authoritative specialists in the field of gerontology, believes that the first medicines will appear not earlier than 2020. Moreover, they will not be elixir for eternal youth or immortality. They will treat and prevent diseases associated with older age, and thus extend life. It is not about immortality, but about increasing the life expectancy and expanding active age to very deep seen.

Mice with telomerase

Despite the fact that waiting for the appearance of drugs from old age for a long time, there are some successes now.

One of the reasons for physical degeneration associated with aging is telomeres, DNA pieces at the ends of chromosomes. With each division of the cell, they are shortened. After the telomeres disappear, the cell stops sharing and dies.

The telomerase enzyme draws this process to reverse. In November 2010, Nature magazine reported that scientists of Harvard Medical School introduced a teleomerase group of mice suffering from elder degeneration. Damage disappeared. Mice not only began to feel better, but also grilled.

To Telomerase, scientists are applied not the first time, but earlier all the experiments were held on the simplest organisms. The merit of professors Ronald Depino In the fact that he first showed her opportunities to improve life expectancy for complex mammals.

Two months after entering telomerase, the volume of the brain at experimental elderly mice, the internal organs of which, in terms of our language, corresponded to the 80 years, returned to normal. It was even more surprising to return the almost completely lost reproductive ability of rodents who began to give large areas. And this is not to mention the fact that the mouse telomerase lived longer by the relatives, this enzyme did not receive.

Casual discovery

Most of the drugs having at least some attitude towards the problem of extending life were initially intended for other purposes. For examples, you do not need to go far. Three months ago, it was announced a random opening of the Elixira of Youth by NASA scientists.

We are talking about a drink for astronauts - AS10, which, in addition to protection against radiation, is able to deal with some signs of aging.

At the beginning of the experiment on people at the University of Utah, the skin pictures of 180 volunteers were made using the Visia apparatus, allowing to "look" under the skin of a person. Then they took AS10 twice a day for four months. At the end of the experiment it turned out that ultraviolet stains decreased by 30%, and wrinkles - by 17%.

AS10 - dietary supplement based on a mixture of Kupukuka juice, asai, cherries of Azerol, SPOVATION and YUBERRI berries. In addition to them, the drug includes grapes, green tea, grenades and vegetables.

Claim that they found a way to slow down the aging of individual cells, and scientists of the University of Durham led by Chris Hutchinson. The professor developed a medicine that slowed the aging of cells taken in children, sick sick. This is a rare genetic disease at which cells are aging at eight or ten times faster. As a result, patients quickly turn into old people and die between eight and 21 years.

By the way, it is believed that at the heart of a successfully filled story of the American writer Scott Fitzgerald "The Mysterious History of Benjamen Button" lies just a wheelchair.

At the heart of the opening of British scientists, the medicine used to treat non-senile, and infectious diseases accompanied by an increased viscosity of sputum, as well as otites, rhinitis and sinusitis. Professor Hutchinson found out that Acetylcistein (ACC) was also able to slow down the process of cell aging. He believes that in the future, the medicine on the basis of the ACC will greatly facilitate the suffering of sick prier and, it is possible, will help them live longer.

Exactly a year ago, scientists from Harvard Medical School found an elixir of youth on Easter Island. It is based on the bacteria of Streptomyces Hygroscopicus from the streptomycete family, found on this Chilean island, make rapamycin, effective medicine against a wheelchair.

As usual, rapamycin anti-cultivities found randomly. It turned out that rapamycin not only weakens the rejection of foreign organs by the body during transplantation, but also suppresses the activities of damaged proteins that lead to aging. All cells that have received rapamycin have increased life expectancy.

Rapamycin successfully struggles with one important aging factor - the ability of cells to derive waste, which weakens with time. After processing with this medicine, the cells are much more energetically get rid of life waste.

A growth hormone

Many gerontology specialists consider human growth hormone in the elixir (HGH). He became the last fashion in Hollywood, where the biggest percentage of people dreaming of eternal youth. People who are familiar with the "Dream factory" claim that any actor, producer, operator, etc., which for 50 and which has a highly developed muscles, accepts HGH. Injections of this hormone do not hide Sylvester Stallone, Nick Nolte and Oliver Stone.

Doctors consider HGH, which produces the pituitary gland, one of the most important hormones in the human body. Blood spreads it in almost all organs. It is responsible for the processes associated with the force and growth, the formation of proteins and the repair of damaged tissues.

With age, the pituitary glands produces less than HGH. It is believed that between 40 and 60, its volume decreases by a quarter. Scientists believe that the decrease in HGH is one of the reasons for the aging of the body.

In the first half of the last century, scientists used RBGH, hormone growth of cows, which was purified and was given to the patients with the first type of diabetes and children with growth hormone deficits.

Medics from the University of Tafts began to extract HGH in 1958 from the corpses. Every year the number of patients he helped, grew.

In 1981, the American pharmaceutical company Gerenentech released the first synthetic version of human growth hormone. The medicine is sold only by recipes and is written out by patients with a shortage of growth hormone, but not associated with older age, but by other reasons. In adults, by the way, in contrast to children, the deficit of this hormone, which is most often with the adenoma pituitary, is extremely rare.

Elixir youth from Belarus

Scientists from Belarus, who worked with American colleagues, also argue that they found the elixir of youth. They drew attention to the fact that polyunsaturated fatty acids transfer free radicals that destroy DNA and causing aging and replaced hydrogen atoms with harmless isotope of deuterium. Experiments on bacteria have passed successfully. Now the experiments on long-suffering mice are in full swing. If they give a positive result, then in 10 years it will be possible to wait for the appearance in the stores of the Belarusian elixir youth.

Rafael de Cabo From the National Institute of Aging, it believes that the life of complete mice can be extended by means of the SRT-1720 medication, which reduces the amount of fat in the liver and increases the sensitivity to insulin. These and other advantages allowed experimental mice to live on average by 44% longer than complete rodents not received by the drug. An even more promising, according to Cabo, is SRT-2104.

Annotation of a series of articles

The encyclopedia continues to acquaint readers with the essays cycle Ivan Medvedev, the author of the book "In Search of Eldorado", - about the great travelers and seekers of the adventures of the past article Ivan Medvedev are created on the basis of primary sources and archival materials that are a presentation of the writer's creativity on the Portal "World Encyclopedia of Travel". Readers are waiting for meetings with Spanish navigators who tried to discover the legendary country of King Solomon - the country of the officer; Westerns in 1774 in India and Central Asia Sergeant of the Russian Army; Full drama history of the first intersection of Australia from the south to the north by the expedition of Robert about "Hara Berka. In the worldwide network essays are published for the first time.

As soon as a person realized the flow of life, he could not reconcile with death. To defeat the laws of nature, the people of the centuries were looking for a philosopher's stone, invented the elixir of life, went for new knowledge to distant countries. Sometimes these searches led to completely unexpected, other significant discoveries.

As soon as a person realized the flow of life, he could not reconcile with death. To defeat the laws of nature, the people of the centuries were looking for a philosopher's stone, invented the elixir of life, went for new knowledge to distant countries. Sometimes these searches led to other significant discoveries. At the beginning of the XVI century among the Indians of Puerto Rico Island in the Caribbean, there was a legend about the source of eternal youth on the island of Bimini, which is ten days to the north. Crowned high mountain Island covered with dense forest. But if you pass by inconspicuous paths to the foot of the mountain without turning around, - otherwise the source will lose its magic force, it will open with a reservoir with transparent flowing water. The dried flower moistened in it comes to life, the dead branch is green, it is enough for a person to make a few sips to gain youth and recover from all diseases.

Old governor.

Governor Puerto Rico Juan Ponce de Leon has already achieved that age when people begin to understand the relative value of money and absolute - life. He spent his youth in military campaigns against the Moors, maturity - in mastering the new light. The Bustle Castilian Nobleman, he laid his life to add a solid capital to the thumbnail. And at the sunset of life, when the goal was achieved, opened simple truth: Gold will not replace those genuine joys that only gives youth. In paradise, if it exists, is other values. In addition, there are no guarantees that you will go there, but not to hell. And here, on earth, in ten days, according to Molva, you can find youth lost in the struggle and works. And then, relying on their accumulated wealth, you can enjoy life forever! The Indians swore that many of their tribesmen returned their youth and forever remained in the wonderful country of Bimini.

Royal Patent

Ponce de Leon turned with the official past to the Queen of Spain Juan crazy to give him a patent for seigning, colonization and exploitation of the source of eternal youth. Instead of the ardent Juan, the country of rules is quite a sober pragmatic regent of the Kingdom of Ferdinand, who was not surprised by a similar request. In those days, when an unusual and ocean opened over the ocean amazing world New continent - everything seemed possible. Since the Governor Puerto Rico took all expenses on the expedition to herself, Regent, and without blinking, I satisfied such a fantastic petition.

Having invested almost all his funds in the purchase of three Karavel, Ponce de Leon, not being a sailor, invited to the service the main nuts of the most experienced navigator Anton Allaminos, the companion of Columbus himself. From those who wanted to go on a journey there was no abundance. On the ships took everyone, including old people, patients and embankment. The trims under the strings were blocked by empty barrels for live water from the magic source. The governor understood that such an unusual product would be the most expensive and walking in the world. Prospects for this business pleasantly circled their heads.

From the island to the island

In a warm sunny day on March 3, 1513, ships left Harbor Saint Herman on west coast Puerto Rico, intending to make the discovery, which mankind has not yet known. The embesive "Hope", the flagship of the squadron, decorated the carved figure of Madonna, whose glass eyes were closely watched - where the miracle land will open, giving people immortality.

The navigator squadron Anton Allaminos confidently took the course northwest, to the Bahamas. Moving earlier open Columbus The southern group of the archipelago, the ships fell into unknown water. Spaniards to pain in the eyes peered into the horizon.

The discoveries were made almost every day. Fearing to miss the source of youth, the Spaniards planted on each new open IslandThey crumbled through the deserted stones and stones and stiff vegetation, bathed in the lakes and tried water from Rodnikov and even rain puddles. But, alas, the old people remained intimid, and the patients did not recover. Frustrated navigators returned to ships and with new hopes again rushed on to the north.

Chain Bahamas Islands broke out, the squadron was in the open sea. Ten days of swimming have long passed. The fourth week of a taking waiting has stretched. When will the compass of fate lead the travelers to the land of the promised?

On April 2, 1513, the Earth appeared on the horizon with which none of the previously encountered islands could be compared. A solid wall of green trees, sent by Lianov, appeared. Throwing anchor in a quiet cozy bayTravelers inhaled with full breasts thick, spicy fragrance of fragrant flowers, which is coming from the shore together by the charming bird singing. Warm water on coastal fellows sparkled under the rays of the sun. Since the wonderful discovery fell to the Christian holiday of the blooming Easter (in Spanish Pask Florida), the Spaniards regarded it as a sign, and Ponce de Leon called the open Earth Florida. No one doubted that the wonderful shore is the Indian Island of Bimini, only such land and can give people youth, immortality and happiness.

The navigators looked at the yellow sandy beach. One of the paths moved through the dense forest. On the torn flowers, the glade was hung a spring with crystal clear water. Ponce de Leon is the first senior to the source. Translating the breath, raised his face, greedily peering in his reflection, waiting for wrinkles. In vain. Beautiful dream collapsed.

Capturing for the last hopes, the Spaniards fell two weeks along the east coast to the north, set off in the mornings ashore and checked on a miracle every reservoir. In vain. Soon the search was complicated by the fact that the squadron reached the districts inhabited by the militant tribes of the Indians. Fearless, tall and strong warriors refused to enter into negotiations with aliens, threatened with spears and huge bows with poisoned arrows. Ponce de Leon did not risk the expedition and ordered to turn to the south, search the miracle source on another tip of the island. The Spaniards were not suspected that they were not an island, but the Florida Peninsula is part of the North American mainland.

Golfstream

Ponce de Leon and his navigator Anton Aloshino opened a five-hundred-meters of the Eastern Coast of Florida and Cape Canaveral, from which our US spacecraft are launched. Here, the expedition for immortality fell into a powerful stream of warm seabood. The water of the marine river was sharply different in color from the rest of the ocean. She flowed from the West, and the tip of Florida turned cool to the north. Anton Allaminos made the right assumption that this flow can be used to return to Spain.

It was Golf Stream - a source of heat for Northern Europe, carrying water 96 times more than all the land rivers, combined. The Spaniards did not suspect that this is the source of life for many nations, but completely different.

Newly acquired Nadezhda

Ponce de Leon with enviable persistence continued to search. Probably, if the source of youth existed in fact, he would have found him. In August 1513, the head of the expedition decided to divide the squadron to increase the chances of success. Sent Aloshino once again to "merchable" baguamas, and he studied himself north shore Yucatana.

In early October, the Governor Puerto Rico came home to the Spirit, and Allaminos with Stunning Messengers arrived at 1514: he found the island that local Indians call Bimini! True, the source of youth was not in him, he was deserted and naked, but the title revived the hope of the governor to immortality.

On preparation new expedition Seven years left. During this time, Ponce de Leon visited Spain and received the rights of the governor on the lands opened them. If the desired source is not on the island of Bimini, then it should be somewhere near, most likely in Florida, the governor believed. It is necessary to win this country and explore the water from each reservoir.

Ponce de Leon was sixty years old. It remained not too much time. Or he will find youth, or the old woman with a scythe will take him there, where no one comes back.

Fire and sword

In 1521, two ships came to the sea. Along with the selected seafarers team on board, there was a well-armed detachment of two hundred professional soldiers and fierce dogs, specially trained in people's hunting. For those times, for the new light, these were significant forces: ten years later, Francisco Pissaro with four hundred soldiers crushed the extensive Empire Inca.

Floor and Sword Ponce de Leon went on the villages of Florida. The prisoners of the Indians were tortured on the racled lattices, but none of them knew anything about the magic source. Downtown to the Debresions of the Peninsula, the Spaniards squad fell into the ambush. Several thousand Indians have collapsed in the aliens of the poisoned arrivals and copies. Answerpoint of the jungle did not give anything. Redhead strengthened onion. The Spaniards trembled, their ranks were mixed and the soldiers of Ponce de Leon retreated in full disarray. Ponce de Leon himself was injured by a poisoned arrow. With great difficulty, the detachment of the detachment was able to go to the ships, which were in a hurried manner with anchors and the elite course of Cuba.

Ponce de Leon was pierced on the deck in death convulsions. No one paid attention to him: the crew struggled with the powerful flow of Gulf Stream. In the listened consciousness of the governor, so-sought to immortality, the cold refreshing jets of the source of life were prevented from the Florida failed in the ocean - the land, which not only did not return to him the youth, but also took the latter the years let go years.

Additional Information to the cycle of articles

Extreme Millennium Long

Ivan Medvedev's book "In Search of Eldorado" - a collection of fascinating essays about travels from the times of antiquity until the end of the XX century, written in the best traditions of the adventure genre. Essays go in chronological order, which allows the reader to trace the history of geographical discoveries - in the brightest, extreme moments. The adventures of the Royal Prosecutor in captivity in the Indian Dakota are replaced by the search for the ancient cities lost in the jungle, flying to the pool in the balloon - a risky expedition to unexplored areas of Africa, and the history of the first intersection of Australia is a drama of the plot will not give way to the tragic destiny of Robert Scott. Plots are developing rapidly, it is not necessary to bored. The author managed to saturate the text with such satellites of success, as an entertainment, informativeness, laconism and imagery.

In total under the cover, 50 plots were collected, which in one degree or another reflect the title of the book: the captivating myth about the golden country made Europeans to conquer the seas and oceans, lay a lot of roads and master the whole continents. Over time, ELDOROO has become synonymous with large discoveries. This spectacular name was suitable for all new achievements, which is capable of the mighty spirit of the discoverer.

The book materials were complemented and reworked by the author specifically for publication on the Portal of the World Encyclopedia of Travel.
Address sales books can be found at: [Email Protected]

↓ Comments (2)

Travel Ponce de Leon

Don Juan Ponce de Leon was the true son of his time. A representative of one of the most significant Castilian surnames, he distinguished itself in the countless wars of the Spaniards with the Moors.

Then, without thinking, he crossed the ocean and arrived in the "West India" (as the new lands called the travelers themselves) in November 1493, with the second expedition of Columbus, when the islands of Dominica, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, as well as the expedition secondary Visited Haiti Island (or as he was called - Espanyol).

Ponce de Leon hoped, like thousands of other conquistadors, for rapid enrichment. But if for most of them, Hope remained hope - at least at the first time, - Don Juan was lucky. In 1508, at the head of a small squad, he won the island, which natives called Boriken (later Puerto Rico). Recall that this island was opened by Columbus during his second travel for the ocean, and, who knows, maybe, it was then at Don Juan Ponce de Leon, a member of this swimming, first flashed the idea that the owner of Boriken, the blooming island with A fertile climate should be it. And he became him.

He having heard about the rich deposits of gold on the island of Boriken, de Leon captured the island, then founded the first Spanish settlement there. Settling on the northeast coast of Boriken, Don Juan laid in 1511 the city, who called San Juan-Bautista de Puerto Rico in honor of his Saint Huang-Bautista de Puerto Rico, where he later became the governor. In the future, the island began to be called Puerto Rico - a rich harbor.

In any case, such she became for Don Juan. Nicely robbing of local Indians, he collected an indispensable amount of gold. He was little embarrassed by the fact that the indigenous population of the island decreased with catastrophic speed. According to the testimony of the ancient Spanish chronicles, Boriken was the most populated from all islands. The Indians were engaged in hunting, agriculture, fisheries, kneeling tissue tissue and make clay dishes. One of the historians wrote: "Puerto Rico was a bustling paradise for the Indians who were withdrawn from his fertile land abundant yields; And when the Spaniards stumbled upon a blessing and happy Indian population, they decided that they also found themselves a paradise of earthly ... "Well, for the Spaniards is the island remained for the Spaniards, and for the Indians turned into a pitch hell.

And in the same 1511, Don Juan Ponce de Leon first heard the legend about the island of eternal youth - Bimini. At first he told him about the old Indiana Kachi, taken in his house serving. But was it possible to believe the old woman survivor? However, as it turned out, other Indians knew that somewhere to the north of Puerto Rico was the island, at which the source beats the source. Their stories were surprisingly coincided even in the smallest details, they all called the same number of days and nights that had to be held on the way to reach Bimini, they were equally described by the peak of the mountain, which was crowned with this happy island, and the trees wall closing his shores . They said that several years before that, many Indians from Cuba's island went on her searches and none of them returned. Is this not evidence that they managed to find a source of youth?

Italian Pedro Martyr, who personally knew Columbus, wrote in those years: "To the north of Espanyola between other islands there is one island at a distance of three hundred twenty miles from her. The first thing you see from a big water is the top of the mountain. The shore is closed with a solid wall of green trees, and therefore it seems that it is impossible to step on the shore. But if you find yourself angry, you will find a few invisible trail. Step on the island in a particular place and go to the foot of the mountain. On the island beats an inexhaustible key of the water of such a wonderful property that the old man who will drink it, observing more than a certain diet, after a while will turn into a young man. But do not forget during the way that it is impossible to turn around, otherwise the source will lose its wonderful power for you. The moment will come, and the forests proceed, and in front of you will open at a flat place. There and beats this source, giving eternal youth. The dried flower, moistened with its water, will again bloom and will remain so forever. Dead branch, lowered in his jet, immediately sees and give new sprouts. And you man, if you did not look around, go down to your knees and take only a few sips. And the return of youth will happen so unnoticed that in previous moments you will still be old and weak, and in the next instant you will become young and full ... "

And Don Juan, who has already been fifty years old, believed legend.

How did the legend originate on the island of Boriken? After all, it is most often the basis of any legend lie some real information, bizarrely intertwined for centuries with the fantastic convection. Perhaps she reflected the memory of some real travel of indigenous islanders to other lands CaribbeanEven more fertile and blooming than Puerto Rico. Be that as it may, a person who conquered the island, firmly decided that he would be the first of the Europeans who had discovered a wonderful source on the island of Bimini, and began to prepare on the road.

However, before Ponce de Leon had to face some difficulties. He did not have official rights to "swimming for discoveries" - such rights gave only the Spanish king - and in addition he was accountable in his actions to the governor more major island, Espanyola, Diego Knee. At first, Don Juan had to reclaim the ocean again to ask for a patent - for his personal account - in search and colonization of the Island of Bimini and on the operation of a wonderful source and "island of eternal youth".

And, apparently, it was not possible to surprise a person in the incredible time, if the Spanish King Ferdinand Aragon, not expressing the shadow of amazement, provided Ponce de Leon all rights and on February 23, 1512 signed an official diploma in Burgos. While brewing this fantastic contract with my signature, the king even said at the same time, hinting for dazzling discoveries Columbus: "One thing to give authority, when there was no prior example, so that someone occupied such a post, but since then I learned something. You are when the beginning has already been done ... "

The main nuts on the expedition of De Leon invited Anton Allaminos, from the same Andalusian port town of Palo, who gave the world of several famous seafarers, satellites and rivals of Columbus. Allaminos himself earlier participated in the fourth expedition of Columbus.

The head of the expedition and its feed began to equipment of three ships and to hiring sailors. According to the stories, Ponce took the service and old people, and embankled, typing, probably the most intimid crew in the history of the sea fleet. Teams on the ships of this flotilla were the oldest of all, what a maritime story knows.

There was its own logic: what is the intelligibility, youth and health, if, after a relatively short maritime transition, his sailors can be rejected and return the lost forces in the wonderful source waters?

And at dawn on March 3, 1513, the flotilla sailed from the shores of Puerto Rico to the north-west, towards the Bahamas. Everyone could be exactly the one they were looking for. In late March, on the eve of Easter, they saw large land - A wonderful flowering island, with whom no one visited by them could be compared.

But the purpose of the expedition is to find a source whose waters would have a power to return youth - it was not possible to achieve. Spaniards investigated everything east Coast Florida. From day to day, sailors went to search. Ships moved from the island to the island, and on each Spaniard "tested" all sources and lakes. In the mornings from the ships, the boats went down and headed to the shore, and at night, Captain Ponce de Leon checked the contents of each flask filled with water from all sources, which only managed to find on the island. They said that the entire pair of sips is enough, the transformation begins instantly.

And while the captain awaited the occasion of the evening, sailors, retell each other all that he had a chance to hear from those who went ashore. If there is a paradise on earth, then it should be here on these islands. The forests here are full of game, but a quiet river - fish, which can be caught by hand right at the shore. But most importantly, it was the earth - fertile, replete with fruits and, most amazing, actually draw.

But not the earthly paradise was looking for Ponce de Leon, and not even gold, because he was so rich enough. He dreamed only a wonderful source. Dragged in failure, he last landed on the shore and the name of the Castilian crown took over the new "island".

The land adopted by him for the island, Ponce de Leon called "Pascua de Florida" - blooming land. So in Spain was the holiday of blooming Easter. According to the legend, it is in this holiday, on April 2, 1513, the team for the first time went to the shore of Florida. Yes, and the name suggested by itself - all the coast was covered with magnificent subtropical vegetation.

It was the first Spanish ownership on the continent. North America. But it was dangerous here, since the Spaniards saw on Florida, the militant Indian tribes - people "tall, strong, dressed in animal skins, with enormous loops, sharp arrows and spears on the manner of swords." So described local residents Bernal Diaz in 1517.

In 1521, Ponce de Leon again went to search for bimini. In addition, he had a patent for the colonization of Florida. In 1521, Ponce de Leon returned to his first landing - on the bay coast - already with two ships loaded by the colonists and things to settle in these places. His detachment of 200 people landed on the West Bank of Florida to conquer the island. However, the Spaniards met such fierce resistance from the local Indians, which were forced to rush to plunge on the ships and get out of the ravis.

Ponce de Leon, among many, was heavily wounded and died in Cuba in July 1521. He is buried on Puerto Rico, in San Juan. True, there is a legend that he survived and in subsequent years continued to study Florida, seeking to find a magical source of eternal youth. But historians are quite justified doubt about the reliability of this legend.

From book Medieval France Author Polo de pain Marie Ann

Travel having exclusively religious goals Pilgrimage should be considered separately from other types of travel. During the period of interest to us between 1099 and 1147, when Jerusalem became part of the Latin Jerusalem kingdom, pilgrims were hung in

From the book Napoleon and Women author Breton G.

From the book in search of India. Great geographical discoveries From antiquity to the beginning of the XVI century Author Dmitrichev Timur Fedorovich

9. Juan Ponce de Leon Juan Ponce de Leon was one of the very bright figures in the history of discoveries and conquests of lands in the Caribbean region. He came from the aristocratic family small city San Campos Province Valladolid, where he was born in 1474. He grew up physically

From the book Famous travelers Author Sklyarenko Valentina Markovna

Juan Ponce de Leon (approx. 1460 - 1521) Juan Ponce de Leon, Obedient Satan, for a long age, disintegrate all secret doctrines, went to look for when she came gray, the spring is healthy in an unknown country. From the flocks of ships, he in a relentless dream of three years a furred deserted puchini, and

From the book of the SS troops without a secrecy griff Author Zalessky Konstantin Aleksandrovich

Leon Degrlyl's letter Adolf Hitler dated April 10, 1941 on April 10, 1941, took months from the French prisons, and from now on, I have little and inactively participate in the heroic and wonderful efforts of young Germany to create the greatest

From the book Medieval England. Time Traveler Guide by the author Mortimer Jan.

From the book of Spain. History of the country by Lalagnuna Juan.

The rulers of Castile and Leon Ferdinand I Castile (1035-1065) and Leonsky (1037-1065) Suncho Castilsky: 1065-1072. Alfonso VI Leon (1065-1109) and Castilsky (1072-1109) Urraka: 1109-1126. Alfonso VII: 1126-1157. Sancho III Castilsky: 1157-1158. Alfonso VIII CASTILSKY: 1158-1214. Ferdinand II.

From the book of heretics and conspirators. 1470-1505 Author Zaringin Maxim Igorevich

Fiasco "Mistra Leon" preparation for the Cathedral of 1490 took place against the background of dramatic events in the political life of Moscow Rus. In March 1490, the sovereignt of the sovereign unexpectedly died and his successor Ivan was a young. Ivan Ivanovich suffered "Kamchougu in his feet." According to

From the book World History: in 6 volumes. Volume 4: Peace in the XVIII century Author Collective authors

Traveling to the beginning of the Epoch of Enlightenment on Maps The general outlines of America and Africa were applied. However, the development of their internal spaces only began. Europeans have not yet imagined Australia, Oceania, as well as the mysterious "South Sea".

From the book Elizabethan England: Traveler Guide in Time by the author Mortimer Jan.

From the book I will know the world. History of Russian kings Author Istomin Sergey Vitalyevich

Traveling the completion of the education of the heir to the throne was his trips to Russia and abroad. The journey lasted from May 1 to December 12, 1837. During the trip, Alexander wrote Father 35 letters. In these letters, many impressions and reflections about stories of Russia,

Author

From the book History of Spain of the IX-XIII centuries [subtracted] Author Korsunov Alexander Rafailovich

From the book History of Spain of the IX-XIII centuries [subtracted] Author Korsunov Alexander Rafailovich

From the book History of Spain of the IX-XIII centuries [subtracted] Author Korsunov Alexander Rafailovich

From the book Gustav Mannerheim in 90 minutes by Medvedko Yuri

Traveling in 1923 he went on a trip to Algeria and Morocco. The Mercedes-Benz car was chosen by the Mercedes-Benz car, which Mannerheim acquired in Switzerland. On the trip, the general took only his chauffeur, Mishel Geyra Swiss. Mannerheim carefully

Publications on the topic

  • Map of Spain in Russian Map of Spain in Russian

    Before you see the world with your own eyes and familiarize yourself with the states, you must first get acquainted with the card. Many tourists from Russia ...

  • Shattish lakes: rest features Shattish lakes: rest features

    One of the largest lake groups in Eastern Europe is located in the Volyn region. Here, round travelers come here to ...