A historic Italian navy ship was given a grand welcome in Abu Dhabi after making its first stop in the UAE as part of a three-year voyage around the world.
The 93-year-old Amerigo Vespucci made a splash as it docked at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Mina Zayed on Friday for the start of a five-day visit.
Members of the public are invited on board the three-mast sailing vessel, which serves as the training ship of the Italian navy. Free tours of the ship are being held from 3pm until 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, from 10am until noon and 3pm to 7pm on Monday and from 10am until noon on Tuesday.
A military band and a fleet of naval officers lined up to mark the arrival of the tall ship, which embarked on a world tour in 2023 which will conclude next year after taking in 30 ports in 28 countries spanning five continents.
Maria Tripodi, Italy's undersecretary of state for foreign affairs, was among the guests. In a message on social media, she said it was a “great honour to welcome the most beautiful ship of the world”, which she hailed as “the emblem of our navy and for 93 years an extraordinary ambassador of excellence”.
Rich seafaring history
The Amerigo Vespucci is the oldest active military vessel in the Italian navy. It was launched on February 22, 1931 and commissioned as a training ship in June of that year. At its bow, a gilded bronze figurehead depicts the 15th-century Italian explorer and navigator after whom the ship is named.
It has served as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador since 2007 and has earned the reputation of being a floating Italian embassy because of its diplomatic missions around the world, including a focus on promoting the preservation of marine ecosystems.
It has won a reputation for being the most beautiful ship in the world over the years. It was a title said to have been bestowed on the vessel by the American aircraft carrier USS Independence during an encounter in the Mediterranean Sea in 1962.
Such is Italy's adoration for the ship, it carried the Olympic torch for part of its journey for the Summer Olympics in Rome in 1960.
The training ship has a crew of about 400, including about 264 military personnel and more than 100 cadets and other support staff.
The vessel's trip around the world has taken in major cities such as Tokyo, Los Angeles and Mumbai, as well as the city-state of Singapore. It arrived in Abu Dhabi following a visit to Doha and will soon make its way to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
During her stay in Abu Dhabi, visitors will be able to explore the ship and interact with crew members. Entry is free, but booking of slots is essential on tourvespucci.it.
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