Beginning in the mid-1500s, Spain discovered and colonized much of the Caribbean and of today’s Florida. For centuries hundreds of Spanish galleons transported goods and people to and from its colonies in the New World, returning northward along the Gulf Stream laden with gold, silver, gems and other treasures. The galleon was the era’s main ocean going transport “workhorse”, used by many European countries. In 2010 to celebrate five centuries since this historic feat, Spain built an accurate replica of the San Pelayo, the flagship galleon of Pedro Menendez, founder of Saint Augustine. Named El Galeón Andalucía , it has visited many ports, especially around Florida, accompanied at times by the Nao Victoria, a replica of Ferdinand Magellan’s tiny 85 ft ship that first circumnavigated the globe. It is authentic in every detail, 170 feet in
... read more