Replicas of two of the ships used by Christopher Columbus to explore the new world in the late 15th century are on Alabama's Gulf Coast.
Al.com reports (http://bit.ly/XnIy5B) that the replicas of the Nina and Pinta are open for tours through Sunday.
The ships had their beginnings in 1986, when the Columbus Foundation formed in the British Virgin Islands in an effort to build the vessels that Columbus used on his first voyage, the Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta.
Authorities said the most historically accurate replica of the Nina was built in Valenca, Brazil, by master shipbuilders who only used hand tools. It was finished in 1991.
The Pinta was also constructed in Brazil and was finished in 2005.
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Information from: Press-Register, http://www.al.com/press-register/
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.