The Magellan-Elcano Expedition

The world was first circumnavigated by the Magellan-Elcano Expedition, starting from Seville, Spain in 1519 and completed three years later in 1522.

Ferdinand  Magellan, a Portuguese-born explorer who decided to change his nationality to become a Spaniard, commanded the first part of the route. He leaded the fleet all the way from Seville to the Philippines where he lost his life. 

260 sailors aboard five vessels set sail on August 10th, 1519. Three years later, only 18 heroic survivors managed to return back to Seville aboard one single remaining vessel named VICTORIA under the command of Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano. 

This most important expedition led to the European discovery of new lands. New trade routes were mapped for Spain, marking the very beginning of today’s world. 

Today retraced by renowned Spanish Explorer Álvaro de Marichalar

Álvaro de Marichalar is now retracing the Magellan-Elcano Expedition Solo navigating aboard a tiny 3 meters / 11 feet vessel named NUMANCIA.

Álvaro’s journey is giving the opportunity to experience 500 years later what this unique adventure must have been like for those explorers of the Sixteen century.