News / floating harbour
Spanish galleon Andalucía sails into Bristol
The splendid Spanish galleon Andalucía has arrived into Bristol in time for the Harbour Festival.
Sailing up the River Avon on the high tide, when she passed underneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge she fired her cannon to mark her arrival in style.
For the duration of the Harbour Festival and until July 27, the replica of the 17th century ship will be moored outside the Arnolfini welcoming visitors on board.
The Andalucía is a full-scale replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon – photo: Rob Browne
An Andalucía spokesperson said that the ship “is a unique replica of the Spanish galleons that departed from the Andalusian coasts and, between the 16th and 18th centuries, sailed the Atlantic, navigated the Caribbean and American coasts, and covered the vast Pacific route, connecting and communicating the world”.
They said: “It is an impressive 55-meter-long ship with six decks, made from iroko and pine wood, and nearly 1000 square meters of sail area across its seven sails.
“It was built in Punta Umbría (Huelva) with meticulous historical accuracy.
“Bristol is one of the port stops on its grand 2025 European tour, during which it will visit ports in Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.
“At the end of the year, it will cross the Atlantic and begin an American tour.
“Throughout this journey, the ship will participate in major international festivals and events, sailing as an authentic and unique floating museum of Andalusian maritime heritage and the history of these legendary ships that connected the world’s continents for three centuries.”
The Andalucía fired her cannon when passing the Matthew – photo: Martin Booth
The Andalucía is described as “a true floating museum of maritime culture” and since being built in 2009 and 2010, she has sailed more than 100,000 nautical miles visiting ports on four continents “proudly promoting the Spanish universal culture”.
To book your tickets to go on board, visit tickets.velacuadra.es
The Spanish galleon Andalucia is making her way into Bristol pic.twitter.com/N3n0JNX4SD
— Martin Booth (@beardedjourno) July 18, 2025
Main photo: Martin Booth
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