The Marigalante was built in Alvarado, Veracruz, Mexico, by the “Mar, Hombre y Paz” Civil Association, (“Sea, Man and Peace” non-profit association) to commemorate the historical voyages to the Americas, on the 500th Anniversary, in 1992, of the European Discovery of America.
On September 26th, 1987, it set sail from Alvarado, Veracruz and arrived in Santoña in Cantabria, Spain, the birthplace of the most renowned cartographer of the Americas and the known world at that time. This beautiful Galleon then sailed to Seville and up the Guadalquivir to deliver 10,000 “Maravedies” gold coins recreating to the payment promised by Christopher Columbus – but never paid – to the first man to shout “Land Ho!” This reward was owed to Rodrigo De Triana whose real name was Juan Rodriguez Bermejo.
The coins were collected from the 33 American countries and spanned various centuries. They were placed in a chest built with the same thirty types of wood as those used to built the Marigalante. The chest on exhibit now in “La Antigua” Chapel in the Cathedral of Seville.
The Marigalante then retraced the Nao route from Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico to Asia, visiting Japan for the commemoration of 100 years of trade with Mexico.
In 1992, the Marigalante traveled the Cocoa route to Ecuador South America. From there, the vessel set sail for Spain to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. On October 12th of the same year, the event was celebrated worldwide.
The Marigalante voyage included 87 ports and islands around the world, totaling 52,000 nautical miles – 96,304 kilometers – equivalent to 2.3 circumnavigations of the planet.
We are very proud of the fact that this beautiful vessel is 100% Mexican. Its standard is a white banner; a symbol of peace.
The voyages it completed over 28 years of research have resulted in four museums: two in Santander, Spain, one in Balina, Australia and another floating museum aboard the Marigalante itself, here in Mexico. The ship’s starring role in two award-winning documentaries and two books entitled “La Balsa” and “¿Por qué Impossible?” represent just a part of its cultural contribution.
MAIN FEATURES AND EQUIPMENT
- Built over a period of 7 years, from 1980 to 1987, by the “Mar, Hombre y Paz” Civil Association
- Built using over 30 species of tropical woods, including Guayacan, Paradise Tree, Oak, Machicle, Pucté, Rosewood, Ironwood, Caoba, Cedar, etc.
- Galleon-type vessel
- Technical Name: Carraca
- Length: 48 meters, 30 centimeters (approximately 159 feet)
- Width: 11 meters, 30 centimeters (approximately 37 feet)
- Height: 4 meters (approximately 13 feet from the hull)
- Three masts measuring 12 meters, 16 meters and 21 meters in height (39’, 52.’ and 69’)
- New sails with a total surface of 400 sq. meters. (Over 4,300 sq. ft.)
- Gross weight of the craft: 100 metric tons
- Lounge chairs for all the passengers during the day tour and rustic benches for the sunset tour
- Mexican dining room below deck with huge illustrations of the Revolution
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Two bars
- Professional sound system
- Five washrooms for ladies and five for gentlemen
- Three tenders for transportation and maneuvers
- Two inflatable “bananas” for banana rides
- Eight kayaks
- Fifteen boogie boards
- Life jackets for all
- Snorkeling masks
- Floating swim fins