The Elcano expedition resumes its navigation on December 15 from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, in southern Spain. This sailing voyage honors the first round-the-world trip achieved by the Spanish sailor Juan Sebastián Elcano between 1519 and 1522, after overcoming the tragic sinking of the sailing ship Pros in 2023.
The new Fénix sailing ship leads the journey
The Asociación Amigos de los Grandes Navegantes y Exploradores Españoles (AGNYEE) is promoting this second attempt with the Fénix sailing ship, a 21-meter long, two-masted vessel. Its captain, Pepe Solá, president of AGNYEE, estimates completing the 25,000 miles in fifteen months. “We do not give up. We want to complete this Elcano expedition and spread Elcano’s legacy,” Solá states with determination.
Emblematic route of the Elcano expedition
Key ports along the route
- San Juan de Puerto Rico and Cartagena de Indias, colonial milestones.
- Panama Canal, gateway to the Pacific.
- Hawaii, Mactan in the Philippines —where Ferdinand Magellan perished— and the Moluccas (Tidore and Ternate).
The original expedition departed from Sanlúcar with Magellan in command, but only Juan Sebastián Elcano returned after the captain’s death in the Philippines. That feat proved the sphericity of the Earth and opened global trade routes, a milestone verified in historical chronicles such as those of Antonio Pigafetta, the surviving chronicler.
Historical context and current value
Started in 2019 for the fifth centenary, the Elcano expedition follows the precise route of the first round-the-world voyage. The Pros sank due to a typhoon in Guam in May 2023, with no loss of life. Now, the project seeks alliances with institutions and companies to promote exploration, maritime culture, and sustainability. Naval history experts highlight its educational role: it emphasizes how 18 men out of 270 completed the journey, transforming European navigation.
This Elcano expedition not only revives a feat, but also inspires in the face of adversity. With arrival expected in Spain in the first quarter of 2027, it reinforces pride in the first round-the-world voyage, an imperishable legacy of Juan Sebastián Elcano.
