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History buffs, boat buffs and, even better, historic boat buffs, this one’s for you. The Nao Victoria, a full-size replica of a famous 16th century ship, will dock in London this summer. Even better, visitors will be allowed to step onboard to explore it.
First, the history. The Nao Victoria is a replica of the Victoria, the first ever ship to circumnavigate the world. Dubbed ‘the greatest adventure in the history of navigation’, the 26-metre-long vessel has been recreated and now docks around the world for the public to enjoy. It offers a rare chance to get up close and personal with a piece of naval history.
Since being built in Spain in 1992, the modern replica of the Victoria has already been on a voyage of its own, visiting 17 countries across five continents to trace the ship’s original journey. It will be berthed in London between June 30 and July 12.
Visitors can board the ship and experience what the tumultuous journey would have been like – with one key difference. Everyone who boards will (hopefully) disembark, unlike those on the first voyage. The original ship, commanded by Juan Sebastian Elcano, embarked on the feat in 1519 from Seville with 245 men. It returned in 1522 with just 18 crew left, making maritime history but at a brutal cost.
The Nao Victoria isn’t actually the first replica ship to dock in the Big Smoke. It’s the third to arrive in east London and one of three reconstructed vessels in the Nao Foundation’s fleet (avid history/boat fanatics may remember the Nao Santa Maria’s visit in 2025). The Oosterschelde, one of the most famous historic Dutch tall ships, also visited the capital last year.
London has no shortage of boaty attractions. The iconic Golden Hinde has sat docked in Southwark for 30 years, allowing the public to reenact life on an Elizabethan galleon, while the HMS Belfast is open next door. Last year the HMS Wellington also opened up to the public on the Victoria Embankment.
The Nao Victoria will be in the centre basin at Katharine Docks between June 30 - July 12. 50 St Katharine's Way, E1W 1LA. You can book tickets here.
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