EASTBOURNE is preparing to welcome a piece of world history to its shores, as the legendary replica ship Nao Victoria sails into Sovereign Harbour for the very first time.
From 18–22 June, residents and visitors will have the rare opportunity to step aboard this extraordinary vessel, a faithful recreation of the first ship to circumnavigate the globe over 500 years ago.
The original Nao Victoria famously completed the first-ever round-the-world journey in 1522, under the command of Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano. After three harrowing years at sea, traversing uncharted oceans and enduring extreme hardship, just 18 of the original 243-strong crew returned to Spain, etched forever in maritime history.
The Nao Victoria was part of the famed “Spice Army” expedition, launched from Seville in 1519 under Portuguese captain Ferdinand Magellan. The five-ship fleet set out westward in search of a sea route to the fabled spice islands of Indonesia.
After Magellan’s death in the Philippines, Elcano assumed command and led the remaining crew back to Spain, having achieved the seemingly impossible – the first full navigation of the planet.
Today, the replica Nao Victoria stands as a floating museum, educational experience and ambassador of Spanish maritime history. Built in 1991 in Andalusia for Seville’s EXPO ’92, the ship was painstakingly constructed using traditional shipbuilding techniques. It later repeated the original voyage between 2004 and 2006, becoming the first replica to fully circumnavigate the globe, visiting 17 countries and covering nearly 27,000 nautical miles.
Since then, the ship has sailed across Europe and the Americas, sharing the incredible story of courage, exploration and endurance with more than 6 million visitors.
With its four decks, traditional sails, captain’s quarters and historic living areas, visitors to the ship can experience what life was like aboard a 16th-century ocean-going vessel.
Tickets to board the Nao Victoria during its Eastbourne visit are priced at £8 for adults, £4 for children up to 14, or £20 for a family ticket.
