A striking piece of maritime history is arriving in Southampton next week, as the Nao Santa Maria – a full-scale replica of Christopher Columbus’ famed 15th-century flagship – is set to dock at Ocean Village from 10 to 21 September.
The ship, which recreates the vessel that carried Columbus across the Atlantic on his 1492 voyage, will open its decks daily to visitors and locals alike from 10am to 8pm. For nearly two weeks, the city’s waterfront transforms into a living museum, offering a rare chance to step aboard and experience the world of the Age of Discovery.
Guests can walk the Santa Maria’s timbered decks, duck into the cramped quarters below, and imagine the daily life of the sailors who charted unknown waters more than 500 years ago. The replica boasts four masts, 300 square metres of sail, and over three kilometres of rope – every detail designed to mirror the original ship as closely as possible.
The Nao Santa Maria is the work of the Nao Victoria Foundation, a Spanish non-profit committed to preserving seafaring heritage. Built with a blend of wood and fibreglass for durability, the vessel was launched in 2018 after 14 months of painstaking work by nearly 100 craftsmen. At 28 metres long and weighing 200 tons, this Santa Maria has already proven its seaworthiness with a transatlantic crossing.
Tickets for the event are priced at £10 for adults, £5 for children aged 5 to 10, and free for under-fives. Families (two adults and up to three children) can visit for £25. Tickets are available online at tickets.naosantamaria.org/content or can be bought at the gangway while the ship is in port.
