Majestic replica galleon docks in Torrevieja
THE IMPOSING Galeón Andalucía sailed into Torrevieja port last weekend.
The vessel is a replica of one of the classic 17th century Spanish galleons that used to ply their trade on voyages from Spain to the Americas and Pacific Ocean.
The 55metrelong boat is made of iroko and pine wood, has four masts and 930m2 of surface area in its seven sails.
Its owners, the Nao Victoria foundation, refer to the ship as an ‘ authentic floating museum of maritime culture’.
The replica was designed and developed by Ignacio Fernández Vial at the Punta Umbria shipyard in Huelva, and was launched on November 30, 2009.
To date El Galeón Andalucía has covered more than 48,000 nautical miles covering the world’s largest seas and oceans, visiting ports in four continents and participating in many cultural projects. The vessel has 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.
It is moored at the fishing port in Torrevieja and open to visitors from 10.0019.00 daily, up to and including November 2.
Admission is € 6 for adults, € 3 for children aged 510, and € 15 for a family of two adults and up to three children aged from 510. Children below the age of five can visit for free.
Tickets are available online through the Nao Victoria foundation website at www. fundacionnaovictoria. org or at the ship.
Covid19 measures include a reduced capacity on the galleon, the obligatory wearing of face masks, and the provision of disinfectant gel. Crew members have the right to deny admission or ask people to leave should they not adhere to the protocols.