The enormous replica Spanish galleon is a floating museum that faithfully recreates those used by the Spanish fleet throughout the 16th to 18th centuries.
It will arrive on Wednesday, July 9 and will be open to the public until Sunday, July 13, with a range of activities around the harbour and town centre to celebrate the unique visitor.
The Galeón Andalucia was built between 2009 and 2010 by the Nao Victoria Foundation, a Spanish non-profit entity specialising in the construction of historical ships.
Its visit to Whitehaven has been made possible thanks to funding from Sellafield Ltd, Amentum, and Whitehaven Town Council, and is being coordinated by deputy lord lieutenant Gerard Richardson MBE and Whitehaven Town Council, in conjunction with partners Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, and Marina Projects Whitehaven.
Mr Richardson said: “The Galleon is one of the finest tall ships you could find and certainly the grandest ship to have visited Whitehaven since the Bark Endeavour in October 2004.
“It’s a proper museum ship with plenty to see and it has its own educators on board to explain the historical context of this type of ship.
“Without the sponsors, this visit would never happen as these ships are horrendously expensive to operate and insure these days so I would like to thank them led by Sellafield and Amentum. We are lucky to have companies such as these on our doorstep and a Town Council that wants to help to drive visitors to the town.”
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