The Spanish Navy Training Ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ visits Civitavecchia (Italy)

The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ visited the port of Civitavecchia in Italy between March 8th and the 12th, the second port call of her 94th training cruise.

The visit coincides with the celebrations commemorating the 5th centenary of the first circumnavigation of the globe and serves to honor the memory of the 27 Italian sailors who took part in that extraordinary feat. Only 2 of them managed to arrive safe back to Spain. A commemorative plaque was unveiled remembering those brave Italian sailors.

During her stay in Civitavecchia, the ship hosted a reception attended by many military and civilian authorities. The Spanish Ambassador to Italy presided over a poignant ceremony in which 60 Spanish citizens, including the Ambassador himself, pledged allegiance to the flag.

On March 12th the ship set sail towards Barcelona, a city the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ has not visited in 18 years.