Historic tallship ‘Nao Santa Maria’ is to dock at Poole Quay for a ten-day exhibition next month.
The visit, from June 11th to June 22nd, follows on from last year’s tall ship success.
It is funded by Poole BID and supported by Poole Harbour Commissioners.
The Nao Santa María was the largest of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage across the Atlantic in 1492.
A medium-sized carrack (or “nao”), it measured approximately 70 feet in length and was designed primarily for cargo transport.
The ship had a single deck and three masts, carrying square sails on the foremast and mainmast, and a triangular sail on the mizzenmast.
Columbus referred to it as “La Capitana” (the flagship), and it was owned and captained by Juan de la Cosa.
On December 25, 1492, the Santa María ran aground off the coast of present-day Haiti.
Unable to salvage the ship, Columbus ordered it dismantled, and its timbers were used to construct a fort named La Navidad—the first European settlement in the New World.
In 2018, the Fundación Nao Victoria, a Spanish organization dedicated to maritime heritage, launched a replica of the Nao Santa María.
Constructed over 14 months in Punta Umbría, Spain, the replica combines traditional wooden craftsmanship with modern materials like fiberglass for durability.
Wendy King, Poole BID Communications & Operations Manager, said: “Visitors can tour the ship’s four decks, including historically accurate cabins and crew quarters, and engage with interactive exhibits that provide insight into the life of sailors during the Age of Discovery 500 years ago.
“The Nao Santa María’s presence on Poole Quay offers a unique chance to experience a significant piece of maritime history firsthand and we are delighted to be working with the Foundation again to bring this wonderful tall ship to our shores.”
While externally faithful to the 15th-century design, the replica is equipped with modern navigation systems, engines, and safety features discreetly integrated to meet contemporary maritime standards.
It serves as a floating museum, featuring exhibits on navigation tools, crew life, and the historical context of Columbus’s voyage.