Against a backdrop of jubilant crowds, dazzling fireworks painting the Ligurian sky, and the proud salutes of national and international dignitaries, the majestic tall ship Amerigo Vespucci sailed gracefully into the port of Genoa, marking the triumphant conclusion of her extraordinary twenty-month World Tour. The “most beautiful ship in the world,” as she is affectionately known, has not merely circumnavigated the globe; she has woven a vibrant tapestry of Italian culture, innovation, and maritime heritage across oceans and continents, reaffirming her status as a peerless ambassador of “Made in Italy.”
The tour, which commenced from this very city on July 1st, 2023, saw the Vespucci navigate vast oceans, weather challenging seas, and grace the ports of over thirty nations, a modern-day odyssey that has captivated hearts and minds worldwide. As the ship’s iconic black hull with its two distinctive white stripes – reminiscent of the gun decks of the historic vessels that inspired her design – came into view, a palpable wave of emotion swept through Genoa. The Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic team, once again, as they did at her departure, streaked across the heavens, painting the sky with the vibrant green, white, and red of the Italian flag, a fitting welcome for a national treasure returning home. The celebratory atmosphere was electric, with naval bands playing stirring anthems and flotillas of smaller vessels accompanying the Vespucci on her final approach – a testament to the deep affection and respect she commands.
But before delving further into the significant milestones of this recently concluded global voyage, it is pertinent to step back and appreciate the rich history of this magnificent vessel. The Amerigo Vespucci is more than just a ship; she is a living testament to Italian craftsmanship, a floating academy, and a symbol of enduring maritime tradition. Her story begins in the Royal Shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples, where she was designed by Lieutenant Colonel Francesco Rotundi of the Italian Navy Engineering Corps, drawing inspiration from the elegant lines of late 18th and early 19th-century warships. Launched on February 22nd, 1931, she was, and remains, purpose-built to serve as a training ship for the cadets of the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno. Her sister ship, the Cristoforo Colombo, met a different fate, being ceded to the Soviet Union as part of war reparations after World War II, leaving the Vespucci as the sole inheritor of their shared legacy.
The Vespucci stands at an impressive 101 metres in length, with a main mast soaring 54 metres above the waterline. Her three towering steel masts carry a complex rigging system that supports up to 28 traditional canvas sails, primarily made of robust olona cloth, with a total sail area exceeding 2,600 square metres. The intricate woodwork, meticulously crafted from teak for the deck, and mahogany, ash, and holy wood for various fittings and interiors, speaks volumes of the artisanal skill invested in her construction and her continuous, painstaking maintenance. Indeed, the teak deck itself requires complete replacement approximately every three years, a testament to the dedication required to keep such a historic vessel in pristine operational condition. Adorning her bow is a striking gilded figurehead of Amerigo Vespucci, the Florentine explorer who lent his name to the Americas, ever guiding the ship forward. While her primary propulsion is the wind, she is also equipped with a modern diesel-electric engine, ensuring her ability to navigate in all conditions. Though designed to echo the formidable presence of historic naval vessels, her armament consists only of two 6-pounder salute guns, used for ceremonial purposes. The complexity of her sail handling is a spectacle in itself; all manoeuvres are executed strictly by hand, requiring hundreds of sailors and cadets to work in perfect synchrony, their actions often guided by the traditional sound of the boatswain’s pipe, the “bossolo,” a sound that has echoed across naval decks for centuries. Orders to the men aloft on the yards are still often relayed by voice, amplified by a speaking trumpet, preserving a direct and timeless form of maritime communication.
Her unparalleled beauty and a storied career spanning over nine decades have naturally attracted admiration from all corners of the globe. The Vespucci has not only been a training ground for elite officers but also a captivating presence that has charmed royalty, heads of state, and countless distinguished visitors from the worlds of art, culture, and science during her many voyages. While specific encounters with global celebrities from film or music are often part of the private log of such esteemed visits, the ship herself has occasionally graced the silver screen, serving as an authentic historical backdrop for cinematic productions requiring a vessel of her majestic stature. Perhaps one of the most cherished anecdotes, a testament to her universal acclaim, occurred in the Mediterranean in 1962. The American aircraft carrier USS Independence, upon encountering the Vespucci under full sail, signalled via flashing light: “Who are you?” The proud reply came: “Training ship Amerigo Vespucci, Italian Navy.” The American carrier’s response became legendary: “You are the most beautiful ship in the world.” This unsolicited accolade from a mighty warship of another great naval power encapsulates the awe the Vespucci inspires. Her lines have inspired painters and photographers, her voyages have filled the pages of maritime journals, and her very essence continues to fuel the imagination, a timeless icon of the sea.
One of the many fascinating aspects of the Vespucci is her unwavering commitment to her foundational role: the training of future generations of naval officers. For over nine decades, she has been the crucible where young cadets are forged, instilling in them the core values of seamanship, discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Life aboard the Vespucci is a demanding yet transformative experience. Cadets learn to navigate by the stars, mastering celestial navigation alongside modern techniques, and to master the intricate art of sailing a full-rigged ship. They learn the importance of every rope, every knot, and every command in a high-stakes environment where the sea is both teacher and taskmaster. This rigorous “school of life” fosters an indelible respect for the sea, a profound sense of duty, and a unique camaraderie born from shared challenges and achievements. This continuous interaction with youth keeps the venerable vessel eternally young in spirit, a bridge between Italy’s storied maritime past and its dynamic future. The ship also actively engages in promoting environmental awareness, often collaborating with organisations like UNICEF and the WWF during her voyages.
The World Tour of 2023-2025 was conceived not only as an ambitious training campaign but also as a strategic mission to showcase Italian excellence on a global stage. Each port of call became a vibrant hub for promoting “Made in Italy” – encompassing everything from high technology and cutting-edge design to exquisite cuisine, timeless fashion, and rich cultural heritage. The accompanying “Villaggio Italia” (Italy Village) exhibition, a cornerstone of this diplomatic and cultural outreach, offered visitors in numerous key locations a truly multifaceted immersion into the Italian lifestyle and its wellsprings of innovation. Far more than a static display, these Villages were conceived as dynamic experiential spaces. Imagine walking through pavilions where the scent of authentic regional delicacies, perhaps prepared live by skilled chefs, mingled with the sight of sleek, ingeniously designed furniture or the gleam of high-fashion garments and artisanal jewellery that spoke of generations of craftsmanship. Here, visitors could engage directly with the narrative of Italian excellence: they might discover breakthroughs in sustainable technology presented by Italian research institutions, marvel at the precision engineering behind luxury automobiles or advanced robotics, or explore interactive displays showcasing Italy’s diverse and breathtaking tourist destinations. It was a carefully curated journey through the nation’s prowess, designed not just to showcase products, but to share the passion, creativity, and meticulous attention to quality that underpins the global appeal of “Made in Italy,” fostering both commercial opportunities and a deeper cultural appreciation.
The journey began with a Mediterranean leg, touching Marseille, before venturing across the Atlantic to Las Palmas, Dakar in Senegal, and Praia in Cape Verde. The Americas welcomed her with stops in Santo Domingo, Cartagena in Colombia, and several Brazilian ports including Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro. A significant period was spent in La Plata, Argentina, for planned technical maintenance, followed by visits to Montevideo and Buenos Aires. The Vespucci then navigated the challenging waters around Cape Horn, calling at Ushuaia and Punta Arenas, before ascending the Pacific coast of South America with stops in Valparaiso, Chile, and Callao, Peru. Her Pacific crossing included memorable visits to Guayaquil, Ecuador (with an excursion to the Galapagos Islands), Balboa in Panama, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, and then onto the United States with Los Angeles and Honolulu.
The Asian leg of the tour was equally impactful, with the Vespucci making a notable impression in Tokyo, Manila, Darwin in Australia, Singapore, Belawan in Indonesia, Phuket in Thailand, and Mumbai, India. Her journey continued through the Arabian Sea and into the Middle East, with stops in Karachi, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Jeddah, fostering significant diplomatic and commercial ties. Before re-entering the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, she visited Aqaba in Jordan and Alexandria in Egypt.
The final chapter of this global circumnavigation saw the Amerigo Vespucci undertake an emotional and highly anticipated tour of Italian ports throughout the spring of 2025. Starting in Trieste (March 1-3), she was greeted with immense enthusiasm, a precursor to the warm receptions that awaited her in Venice (March 27-31), Ancona (April 1-3), Ortona (April 4-6), Brindisi (April 12-15), and Taranto (April 16-22), where she also paused after a brief international call in Durrës, Albania (April 8-11). The tour then continued to La Valletta, Malta (April 25-29), before returning to Italian shores at Porto Empedocle (April 30), Reggio Calabria (May 3-6), Palermo (May 7-11), Naples (May 13-17), Cagliari (May 19-24), Gaeta (May 26-29), Civitavecchia (May 30 – June 3), and finally, a poignant stop in Livorno (June 4-8), the home of the Naval Academy whose cadets she so diligently trains, before her ultimate return to Genoa.
The statistics of this tour are staggering: approximately 20 months of navigation, tens of thousands of nautical miles traversed, crossing three oceans, and visiting five continents. The number of visitors who flocked to see the ship and experience the “Villaggio Italia” at each port ran into the hundreds of thousands – for instance, Taranto alone saw over 78,000 visitors to the Village and 67,000 board the ship, while even distant Tokyo welcomed over 63,000 to its iteration of Villaggio Italia. These figures underscore the immense global appeal of the Vespucci and the Italian story she narrates. Beyond the public enthusiasm, the tour facilitated invaluable diplomatic engagements and fostered significant opportunities for Italian businesses, strengthening trade relationships and showcasing Italy’s economic dynamism alongside its cultural wealth.
As the Amerigo Vespucci now rests in Genoa, her journey offers a profound reflection encapsulated in her powerful motto: “Non chi comincia, ma quel che persevera” – “Not who begins, but who perseveres.” These words, often attributed to the great Renaissance mind Leonardo da Vinci and officially adopted by the ship in 1978, resonate deeply with her character and her mission. This grand sailing ship, a relic of a bygone era yet thoroughly alive and relevant, symbolises the enduring spirit of Italy itself: a nation that has consistently innovated and contributed to global culture and knowledge not through fleeting endeavours, but through steadfast dedication, craftsmanship, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.
The World Tour was not merely a journey across geographical coordinates; it was a testament to perseverance. The perseverance of her crew, working tirelessly in all conditions; the perseverance of the Italian maritime tradition she embodies; and the perseverance of the Italian spirit of ingenuity and creativity that continues to be admired and, yes, envied across the globe. The Amerigo Vespucci, a true Queen of the Seas, has once again demonstrated that the values of heritage, when combined with a forward-looking vision, can navigate any horizon, carrying the banner of Italian excellence with unparalleled grace and authority. Her voyage is complete, but her legacy, like the echo of her motto, will continue to inspire.
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