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The Amerigo Vespucci, a 93-year-old Italian naval training ship which is lauded as the “most beautiful ship in the world,” has sailed into Mumbai’s Indira Dock, its elegant masts cutting against the city’s chaotic skyline.
For the first time in its storied history, this maritime marvel of Italian seafaring tradition has anchored on Indian shores — its 28th port call, marking a new chapter in cultural and diplomatic ties between Italy and India—before it culminates its two year voyage this month across 30 countries, including Los Angeles, Tokyo, Darwin and Singapore, since it set sail from its home in La Spezia on July 1, 2023, with a crew of 250.
The ship’s gangplank will remain open to visitors till Dec 2, offering them a rare chance to step aboard a vessel that is equal parts history and art with its polished wooden decks and gleaming brass details preserved to near perfection.
Accompanying the ship, is the Villaggio Italia, a mini expo offering a snapshot of modern Italian music, art, film, fashion and technology.
The “World Tour – Villaggio Italia” initiative, strongly supported by the Minister of Defence of the Italian Government, Guido Crosetto, and backed by 11 ministries, together with the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, combines the traditional training and naval diplomacy activities of the training ship with the promotion of Made in Italy excellence in the main ports covered by the campaign.
Mumbai is the ship’s 28th port of call; it set sail with a promise of 30 port calls, across 28 countries and five continents.
The Villaggio Italia expo showcases Italian design, photography and technology, along with live music by the Italian Air Force band, film screenings in collaboration with the Venice International Film Festival of La Biennale di Venezia, apart from talks and conferences.
“This ship is an Italian floating embassy,” said Amerigo Vespucci’s deputy commanding officer Tomaso Ferrando.
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