My first Magazine COUNTRYHEROS | Page 3

Naples. In 1463, he became the chief commander of the crusading forces of Pope Pius II, but the Pope died while the armies were still gathering. Together with Venetians he fought against the Ottomans during the Ottoman–Venetian In his greatest undertaking he sailed from Palos de la Frontera on August 3, 1492 to arrive in today's San Salvador on October 12, 1492. War (1463–79) until his death in January 1468. He had an intrepid heart and an immense passion for the sea and navigation. At only fteen years old, he had already reached Greece, Portugal, England and Iceland by boat. Skanderbeg's military skills presented a major obstacle to Ottoman expansion, and he was considered by many in western Europe to be a model of Christian resistance against the Ottoman Muslims. Sometimes, on those long journeys, he had come across pirate boats. He was  brave and his life as a sailor had soon gained him a good experience. Around the age of thirty, Christopher Columbus went to live in Portugal, in Lisbon. Christopher was the only one in the world at that time to think that the Earth was spherical. Everyone thought it was at and that the ocean divided Europe from Asia. Few had dared to sail and since they had not returned, it was thought that the sea was inhabited by sharks and marine killer whales, capable of destroying the boats. Skënderbeu Gjergj Kastrioti - George Kastriot Scanderbeg by streetstyle2 YOUTUBE But Columbus, who was very brave and very curious, when the night was walking on the beach of Lisbon listening to the sound of the waves, he supposed that the ocean was perhaps not so vast and horrible, and that a good sailor like him could cross it and get Europe to Asia discovering a shorter way to reach China and Japan showing everyone that the Earth was spherical like a ball! Maria Grazia Delfino Italy Christopher Columbus Italian Ancestor He explained his great project to Don Juan Perez, a far- sighted priest who listened to him with curiosity and attention and offered him a nice opportunity. Don Perez was a friend of the Queen of Spain and it was precisely because of his intercession that the Spanish rulers decided to lend three caravels to Cristoforo: the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria together with a crew of 120 men. Some of these were delinquents who had sailed on the galleys and were forced by the king to accompany Christopher on his journey, because no one wanted to follow him in this venture so risky. Christopher Columbus by Maria-Grazia Delfino YOUTUBE   The journey was long and exhausting, after three months had not yet been sighted land, not even an island on which to rest. Food and water began to run low. Many sailors were upset Maria Grazia Delfino Cristoforo Colombo was born in Genoa in 1451. He was a great navigator who contributed to memorable enterprises and geographical discoveries. by fear and implored Christopher Columbus to reverse the route and return. The daring navigator then made a pact with the crew: - Keep on rowing, I promise that if within three days we do not spot land, we turn the helm and go back home.