A model of ‘La Real’ galley bequeathed to the Naval Museum

On the evening of October 7th the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles presided over the donation of a model of the ‘La Real’ galley, flagship of Juan de Austria in the Battle of Lepanto.

After a welcoming speech by the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, Admiral Antonio Martorell (AJEMA), the Director of the Naval History and Cultural Institute, Vice-admiral Marcial Gamboa, addressed those present with the lecture: ‘La Real’ galley; some considerations on the Battle of Lepanto’.

Subsequently, the five craftsmen who made the model explained the particulars of their handy work in which more than 8,500 hours of work were employed. After that, the Marine Corps’ Music Band played some ad-hoc musical pieces, and the Minister of Defense wrapped up the ceremony.

About ‘La Real’ Galley

The ‘La Real’ galley was built in the Barcelona shipyards in 1568. She was the largest galley in those years, and became flagship of the Holy League in the Battle of Lepanto (1571).

The ‘La Real’, under command of Juan de Austria, participated in the Battle of Lepanto, the largest galley battle in history, where the Holy League fleet defeated the Ottoman Empire naval force commanded by Ali Pasha.

The flagship was richly decorated, painted in red and gold, and the aft section was embellished with sculptures and low-relif ornaments, many of which were of a religious nature.

The crew was made up of 550 men, among them a galley captain, a pilot, a boatswain, sheriffs, marines and galley slaves. Apart from the rows, the ship had also masts with latin-type sails which were replaced by square sails in case of foul weather.