All the way back in the 1500s, Ferdinand Magellan did the seemingly impossible. He assembled an impressive crew and sailed all the way around the world, becoming the first person to circumnavigate the globe. And one of those ships from that voyage is set to drop anchor in London for two weeks. Well, sort of…
In 1519, Magellan assembled the Armada de Especería (Army of Spice). This group of men and ships “left Seville in 1519 with 245 men and returned three years later with 18”. The Nao Victoria is a full-sized replica of one of the ships from the history-making voyage, which will sail into London on June 29. The ship will then drop anchor in St. Katharine Docks from June 30 – July 12, and you’re invited to come on board.
The Nao Victoria – a floating museum
The ship spans an impressive 26 metres, and provides “a portal to the greatest adventure in early maritime navigation.” Visitors can step aboard to explore the ship and find out what life was like on the momentous voyage. It certainly wasn’t an easy voyage, with a mere 7% of its original crew returning at the end.
The Nao Victoria is more than just a physical replica. It has also retraced the journey that the original ship made. Since 1992, the ship has followed “in its namesake’s wake, [and] circumnavigated the globe itself”. Along the way, the ship has stopped off in 17 countries across five continents.
The Nao Victoria is the third replica ship to arrive in St Katharine Docks, following the likes of a historic Dutch Tall Ship and a replica of a Christopher Columbus ship.
⛵ The Nao Victoria will be open in St. Katharine Docks from June 30 – July 12.
🎟️ Find out more and grab tickets to visit here.
