The 495-ton 16th-century replica wooden ship El Galeón is dock at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina next to her a sister ship, the Nao Victoria.  It is the first time the two ships have ever docked in the same port in North America. While in port, the 170 foot, 495 ton authentic wooden replica of a galleon that was part of Spain’s West Indies fleet will be open for public visits.

 

 

The ship will be part of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine in 2015. Both El Galeón and its sister ship Nao Victoria represent the city’s cultural heritage with Spain and is worth a visit. The Nao Victoria is a replica of the first ship to successfully circumnavigate the world. El Galeón is a replica of the vessels that traveled the coasts of Florida between the 16th and 18th centuries creating ties between America and Europe.

 

While in port, the ship will be open to public offering visitors the chance to learn about the maritime history that began centuries ago when galleons like the El Galeón reached Florida’s coast.

 

Ponce de León sailed from Puerto Rico on just such a vessel in 1513. The voyage brought him to the coast of Florida on April 3 which was the day he spotted land and named it La Florida.

 

St. Augustine’s founder, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, also arrived via a galleon a half century after Ponce de Leon aboard the San Pelayo, a ship even larger than the El Galeón, and named for Spain's first king. The San Pelayo carried 77 crewmen, 18 gunners, and transported 317 soldiers as well as provisions and cargo. The fleet accompanying the San Pelayo transported 800 colonists and supplies needed to establish St. Augustine on September 8, 1565.

 

El Galeón will be open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez. Tickets are $8 for youth age six to 12, $15 for adults, and youth five and under are free. Additional information and tickets are available at  any of the Ripley's Red Train ticket outlets in St. Augustine including the one at the Municipal Marina.