In 1519 the Magellan–Elcano Armada left from Seville, which returned three years later after having completed the First Circumnavigation of the World.

500 years

Between 2019 and 2022 the commemoration of the 5th centenary of the First Round Trip of the World is being held, a milestone that marks a before and after in the History of Humanity. More than two hundred men left for the journey to explore unknown lands and realise the dream of Christopher Columbus: reach South-East Asia and the Spice Islands. However, unpredictable events of the trip resulted in a return to Spanish territory, continuing the route west and resulting in the First Round-Trip of the world.

Led by Fernando de Magallanes and Juan Sebastian Elcano, it was an adventure in which they sailed for the Pacific Ocean for the first time, discovered new species, went into unknown territory and most importantly finally defined the continents and charted the first modern world maps with scientific knowledge.

Currently, in Seville there are two attractions related to this journey open to the public, hosted by the Nao Victoria Foundation. They tell the story of the men who ventured out to realise the journey, and above all that of the only boat of the five that managed to return, the Nao Victoria.

If there is a leading city, this is Seville

In the 16^th century Seville was the port and the door to the newly known lands. It held the monopoly on relations with America. As such, all of the wealth which was loaded and unloaded from the boats coming from ‘the Indies’ happened in the Arenal of Seville. Of course, only from here could an expedition as big as the Armada of Spices depart. Here the boats were prepared, the crew were employed and the provisions were loaded; here the navigators enlisted into the Amada and from here the five Naos departed determined to reach the far away Spice Islands.

This section is dedicated to the valuable role Seville had in this historical feat and in the history of the world, framed within the commemoration of the First Round to the World.