Londoners can visit replica 17th century warship due to arrive in capital

GALEON ANDALUCIA
GALEON ANDALUCIA

A full-sized replica of a 17th-century Spanish warship is due to arrive in London next week.

On September 23, Tower Bridge will be opened at approximately 4pm to let the 500-ton Galeon Andalucia pass through after arriving from Gravesend. The vessel will arrive at St Katherine’s Dock.

Galeon Andlucia launched in 2009 and has since covered over 70,000 nautical miles. This year, the vessel has crossed ports in France, Germany, the Netherlands and multiple UK cities.

It is a full-size replica of the 17th century Spanish galleons that for over three centuries took the lead role in many of the longest trade and cultural routes in the history of maritime navigation.

They were used in expeditions of discovery and inter-oceanic trade between Spain, America and the Philippines.

Now visitors can find out more about life aboard its decks with the 'floating’ museums’ interactive presentations and exhibits, along with videos, projections, historical documents and demonstrations by crew members in traditional costume.

The ship will be docked at St Katherine Docks near Tower Bridge from 23 September until 6 October. It can be visited between 10am and 8pm from September 24 onwards.

However, dates and times may be altered due to weather conditions.