If you’re wandering around London and you see a vision of a historic ship in the Thames, fret not, you’re not dreaming. That’s because one of history’s most famous ships has sailed into the city and dropped anchor right near the Tower of London. The ship, an impressive replica of the Christopher Columbus ship, the Nao Santa Maria, is now welcoming visitors aboard to explore a slice of nautical history.
You’ll find the ship docked at St Katharine Docks, where it has opened its gangways to curious visitors until June 8. And fortunately for history- and boat-fans alike, this isn’t just an impressive marvel to gaze upon. The ship acts as a floating museum, which “offers Londoners a rare chance to step aboard history, providing a fascinating glimpse into 15th-century maritime life and the voyage that changed world history”.
Other historic ship replicas
The replica of the Christopher Columbus ship isn’t the first impressive replica to sail into London. Back in September of 2024, the Galeón Andalucía, a replica 17th-century Spanish warship, made its way along the Thames and stopped off in the capital.
Both the Galeón Andalucía and the Nao Santa Maria are operated by the Nao Victoria Foundation. The non-profit entity promotes history by constructing historical ships and sailing them throughout the world’s ports. The awe-inspiring ships have been all around Europe and the United States. They’ve visited almost 100 ports and welcomed millions of visitors. Along the way, they’ve “sailed across the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Southern China Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Bosporus Strait and the Caribbean Sea.”
Find out more and grab tickets here. Keep up to date with the Nao Santa Maria’s and other replica ships’ movements and travels here.