Spanish
The Embassy of Spain in the Dominican Republic announced that the training ship of the Spanish Navy, “Juan Sebastián de Elcano”, will make an official stopover in Santo Domingo starting Monday, May 19. The emblematic vessel will remain docked at Punta Torrecilla until Saturday 24, as part of its 97th training cruise.
The arrival is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., after which a meeting will be held with the ship's commander and his communication team, according to diplomatic sources.
The ship, in which the Princess of Asturias, Leonor de Borbón, is currently being trained, recently set sail from the port of Santa Marta, Colombia, where it made its second and last stop in that country. During her stay, the princess participated in various protocolary acts organized by the Colombian National Navy, the Spanish Embassy and local authorities, within the framework of the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the founding of the city.
Before arriving in Santa Marta, the brigantine-schooner had visited Cartagena de Indias, thus completing its journey through Colombian territory. Subsequently, it will head to New York, where it will make its only stop on US soil before beginning its return to Spain.
Since its departure, the “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” has completed stopovers in Salvador de Bahía (Brazil), Montevideo (Uruguay), Punta Arenas and Valparaíso (Chile), El Callao (Peru), Panama City (Panama) and Cartagena and Santa Marta (Colombia), consolidating its role as a symbol of Spain's naval and diplomatic projection.
Launched in 1927 and in service since 1928, the ship has trained more than 6,500 officers of the Spanish Navy. Recognized as a true “floating embassy”, its mission transcends academic training, by representing Spain in every port it visits.
The arrival of the “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” in Santo Domingo reinforces the historical and cultural ties between Spain and the Dominican Republic, and will offer the public the opportunity to get to know up close one of the most representative vessels of Spanish naval navigation.
