Trieste prepares to welcome Nave Vespucci on Saturday, 1st March

On Saturday, 1st March, Trieste and its Gulf will host an extraordinary event to celebrate the return of the historic sailing ship and training vessel of the Italian Navy, Amerigo Vespucci. As an ambassador of Made in Italy worldwide, it will dock in national waters for the first time after completing a World Tour that has taken it to major ports across five continents. To mark the occasion, Barcolana is organising a grand maritime parade, the Barcolana Boat Parade, in collaboration with local sailing, rowing, and sport fishing clubs, as well as the Italian Powerboating Federation. In the spirit of maritime hospitality, boats will sail out to meet Nave Vespucci as it enters the Gulf of Trieste and will accompany it to its mooring in Piazza Unità d'Italia, where Nave Trieste is already docked in welcome.

Kicking off the celebrations on Saturday will be the Italian Navy exhibition "A TUTTO TONDO - The World Tour of Nave Amerigo Vespucci", showcasing images by photographer Massimo Sestini. Hosted at the Palazzo della Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia from 1st to 7th March, the exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, PromoTurismo FVG, the Municipality of Trieste, and with the support of Generali, thanks to which it will later be displayed at the Procuratie in Venice to coincide with Nave Vespucci’s arrival in the lagoon city. The exhibition not only celebrates the presence of the Italian Navy’s training ship in Trieste but also highlights its deep connection with Barcolana, sharing the same passion for the sea. Another link between Nave Vespucci and Barcolana is photographer Massimo Sestini, who captured the official images of the ship’s World Tour and has also taken iconic photos of Barcolana that have become part of the event’s history.

"Barcolana’s relationship with Massimo Sestini," stated Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, "has been strengthened over years of friendship and collaboration. Working with him and the Italian Navy on this project is highly significant for us, especially in light of Massimo’s extraordinary determination in overcoming the challenges he has recently faced, emerging even stronger. His ability to tell the story of the sea through unique images adds immense value to this exhibition, making it even more special."

The exhibition will take visitors on a visual journey through the most significant stages of the 2023-2025 World Tour and will also feature some of Sestini’s photographs from various editions of Barcolana, which the public can admire free of charge. It will be held on the ground floor of the Palazzo della Regione, in Sala Biasutti, and will be open to visitors at the following times:

• Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM

• Monday 3rd to Thursday 6th March: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

• Friday 7th March: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (free entry).

The Boat Parade
The non-competitive, free event, open to all types of boats, will take place on Saturday, 1st March. To date, over 1,200 vessels from Germany, Austria, and Slovenia have registered for the parade, ready to celebrate Nave Vespucci’s arrival in the true spirit of Barcolana. Boats will be divided into two categories, each following a designated route: sailing boats, RIBs, and motorboats will set off around 1:00 PM from the Barcola embankment, near the Barcolana starting buoy, navigating at approximately 4 knots to meet Nave Vespucci in the centre of the Gulf and escort it to Bacino San Giusto, near the Barcolana finish line. Rowing boats, paddleboards, and small sailing dinghies will depart around 2:00 PM in two separate groups – one for rowing and paddling and another for dinghies – from the green beacon of the Porto Vecchio breakwater and will conclude their parade in Bacino San Giorgio, awaiting the ship’s arrival.

Among the participants, the Italian Rowing Federation will join with a four-person GIG boat provided by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Committee, featuring athletes Stefania Buttignon, Marco Frank, Stefania Gobbi, and Josef Marvucic. Also participating will be a Guardia di Finanza crew aboard a Figaro 3, led by Captain Francesco Nerone, director Pierluigi Fornelli, and sailors Paolo Cian and Fabio Montefusco. Enthusiasts will have the unique opportunity to sail alongside Vespucci and celebrate the grand return of the world’s most beautiful and beloved training ship.

"We are thrilled to take part in such a special event," say the rowers of the Italian Rowing Federation. "We share the spirit of Barcolana, the great enthusiasm of sailing lovers, and the deep sense of identity that this historic event has created over the years." Also present on 1st March will be Federal Councillor Massimiliano D'Ambrosi and the President of the FIC Friuli Venezia Giulia Committee, Roberto Celic.

Registrations for the Boat Parade remain open until noon on Friday, 28th February, via specialedition.barcolana.it. Registration can also be completed at the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano headquarters, where, until 6:00 PM on 28th February, participants can collect their gift bags, the Gran Pavese flag (for sailing and motorboats), or a race bib (for rowing, paddleboard, and kayak participants). For rowing boats and paddleboards, SVBG will provide a launch and recovery area at Molo Zero in Porto Vecchio.

The Boat Parade features three special awards: one for the sports association registering the most crews and two prizes (one for the sail and motor category, another for the rowing, paddle, and dinghy category) for the most creatively and festively decorated boats, in celebration of Vespucci’s arrival on Carnival Saturday. Full details are available on the Barcolana website under the Special Edition section in the “Parade Instructions.”

The Boat Parade and the arrival of Nave Vespucci in Trieste will be covered by RAI, Barcolana57’s Main Media Partner, as part of its agreement with the Ministry of Defence and Defence Services. RAI will provide extensive coverage, including live broadcasts and special features on RaiNews24, TG1, regional news, generalist channels, Rai Storia, and a dedicated RadioUno segment.

Trieste marks the first stop on Nave Amerigo Vespucci’s Mediterranean Tour along the Italian coast, concluding in Genoa on 10th June 2025 for Navy Day. The visit will also debut Villaggio IN Italia, a travelling mini-expo promoting Made in Italy excellence in culture, history, innovation, gastronomy, science, research, technology, and industry, following the success of its international edition. Organised by Barcolana in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Defence Services, the event will showcase Italy’s best to visitors throughout the Mediterranean Tour.

For more information, visit specialedition.barcolana.it. For full details on Nave Vespucci’s Mediterranean Tour, visit www.tourvespucci.it or follow the official Tour Vespucci social media pages.