We were very lucky to be able to organise a visit for the whole school to the Nao Santa Maria replica ship, recently docked in Baltimore. It was great to have this opportunity on our doorstep and are very grateful to our sponsors and staff for their enthusiasm towards another trip in the last few weeks!
The Nao Santa María, a historical replica of the flagship used by Christopher Columbus during his 1492 voyage, arrived in Baltimore for the first time.
This visit marked a significant stop in its extensive 2026 european tour, which includes stops in dozens of cities where it opens its decks to the public. The Nao Santa María is more than just a ship; it is a floating museum and a proud ambassador of the maritime, cultural and touristic heritage of the Province of Huelva (Spain). It represents the great historical oceanic expeditions that changed the course of world history—the discovery of the Americas.
The vessel was built in 2018 by the Fundación Nao Victoria to commemorate the 525th Anniversary of the Encounter between Two Worlds. Master shipwrights constructed the 200-ton vessel in Punta Umbría (Huelva – Spain) using iroko and pine wood, strictly adhering to historical records to ensure every detail reflects the original 15th-century ship.
Even though it was a very damp day indeed, the children loved stepping back in history seeing the ship close up!
Rath National School 