The Amerigo Vespucci is the oldest sailing ship still in service in the Italian Navy, launched on February 22, 1931. Its motto, adopted in 1978, is “Not he who begins, but he who perseveres”, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
Nicknamed “the most beautiful ship in the world,” this majestic motorized sailing ship is based in La Spezia and serves as a training vessel for cadets of the Naval Academy and other Navy schools. Onboard training covers navigation, logistics, naval diplomacy, and more. The ship also collaborates with UNICEF and WWF for environmental protection.
2025 Italian Tour
After departing Genoa in July 2023 for a world tour, the Vespucci returned to Italy in March 2025 for a tour around the peninsula. Stops include Venice, Ancona, Ortona, Brindisi, Taranto, Porto Empedocle, Reggio Calabria, Palermo, Naples, Cagliari, Gaeta, Civitavecchia, Livorno, and the final stop in Genoa on June 10.
Free onboard visits are available with booking via the official Tour Vespucci website.
Technical Specifications
The Amerigo Vespucci measures 101 meters in length from bow to stern, with 82 meters at the waterline. Its maximum beam is 15.5 meters, extending up to 28 meters when including the rigging. The draft is 7.3 meters. It carries 26 sails made of natural olona canvas and features three vertical masts along with a bowsprit.
The ship is powered by a diesel-electric system composed of two main electric motors, delivering a total continuous output of 2840 kW. All lighting on board is LED, with the masts illuminated in green and displaying the Italian tricolore.
The crew consists of 264 military personnel, and during training campaigns, around 100 cadets join the team.