Barcolana Special Edition: Trieste will welcome the training ship Amerigo Vespucci in the first leg of the Mediterranean Leg of the World Tour

The Italian Navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci, an undisputed symbol of Italy’s maritime excellence, will dock in Trieste on March 1, 2025, for the first stop of the Mediterranean Leg, marking the conclusion of its extraordinary 2023-2025 World Tour. This project, strongly supported by Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, involved the participation of 12 ministries and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The arrival of the ship in Trieste was announced live yesterday from the Villaggio Italia in Jeddah in the presence of top military and institutional representatives.

The city of Trieste, together with Barcolana, is eagerly preparing to welcome the return to Italy of the "most beautiful ship in the world," the protagonist of a journey that has combined naval tradition with the promotion of Italian excellence worldwide.

To celebrate this unique event, Barcolana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense and Difesa Servizi SpA—the in-house company of the Ministry of Defense responsible for organizing the ship’s international campaign and the upcoming Mediterranean campaign—will host a Special Edition. From February 28 to March 2, 2025, the city and its Gulf will transform into a grand stage dedicated to the sea, navigation, and maritime culture.

“Barcolana is deeply moved and honored to organize the welcome for Nave Vespucci in Trieste as it returns to Italy after its extraordinary world tour,” said Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. “We can’t wait to welcome back this legendary ship, an everlasting symbol of our country, reciprocating the affection and closeness that Nave Vespucci has always shown to Barcolana. This event will celebrate and strengthen the special bond that unites us, highlighting the values of the sea and navigation that we share.”

The Barcolana Special Edition program, scheduled from February 28 to March 2, 2025, will turn Trieste into a vibrant hub of maritime celebration. The Gulf will host the Barcolana Boat Parade, a grand maritime procession welcoming Nave Vespucci in the spirit of the regatta that has defined the event for nearly sixty years. On Saturday, March 1, all vessels in the Gulf of Trieste—from sailboats to motorboats and rowing crafts like SUPs, canoes, and kayaks—will gather in the waters where the Barcolana takes place in October and accompany Nave Vespucci to its mooring in Piazza Unità.

In addition to the maritime parade, a series of onshore events will offer participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in maritime history and celebrate the deep connection between Trieste and Nave Vespucci.

The Amerigo Vespucci has just completed a World Tour, docking at some of the most important ports globally, combining naval officer training with naval diplomacy and the promotion of Made in Italy through the Villaggio Italia. The Trieste stop marks the beginning of the ship’s journey along Italy’s coasts, culminating in Genoa on June 10, 2025, in conjunction with Navy Day.

For more details on Nave Vespucci’s world and Italian tour: tourvespucci.it.